Boise ID vs Flint 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Flint
2.9%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 80,835 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 2.9% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 34.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 0.6% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 4.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $36,194 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $20,799 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,052 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 17.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 34.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 13.1% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 54.9% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Flint
1590
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Flint
12.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 50.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 23.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 31.7 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, 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 +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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