Boise ID vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.1 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 5.9% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 11.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.6% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.0% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $39,575 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $24,029 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,052 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 14.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 31.5% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 17.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 49.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Detroit
1590
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 471 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1590 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Detroit
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Detroit
11.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 45.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Detroit
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Detroit
31.3 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.3°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 31.3 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Detroit
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Detroit
27.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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