Boise ID vs Dallas TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 83.6% | 41.9% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 23.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Dallas
$67,760
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Dallas
$44,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Dallas
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Dallas
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Dallas
37.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $67,760 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $44,138 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 37.4% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Dallas
42.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $311,957 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 42.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Dallas
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Dallas
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Dallas
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Dallas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Dallas
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Dallas
13.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Dallas
40.6 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 65.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 40.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Dallas
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Dallas
28.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA