Boise ID vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 83.6% | 44.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Durham
$79,234
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Durham
$47,246
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Durham
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Durham
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $79,234 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $47,246 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $399,509 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 51.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Durham
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 398 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1999 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Durham
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Durham
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Durham
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Durham
11.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 57.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 47.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. 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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