Boise ID vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 143,611 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 83.6% | 59.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $45,611 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $30,282 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 28.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 51.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 38.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Gainesville
1453
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 324 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1453 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 68.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 47.3 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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