Boise ID vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 135,887 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 83.6% | 24.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.8% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $63,874 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $28,490 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.3% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 14.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $531,592 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 25.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Elizabeth
1426
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1426 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | 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 +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 29.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. 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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