Boise ID vs El Paso 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Boise
1.4%
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 83.6% | 39.3% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.5% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $58,734 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $28,942 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 18.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 27.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 60.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 64.3°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, 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 +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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