Boise ID vs Glendale AZ — 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%
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Glendale
72.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 271,118 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.7 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.6% | Glendale + |
| White | 83.6% | 72.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 3.4% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 6.6% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 17.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $121,351 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $49,825 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.3% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 5.1% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 47.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $408,630 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 73.9% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Glendale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Glendale
2150
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 450 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2150 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Glendale
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Glendale
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Glendale
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Glendale
17.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Glendale
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Glendale
13.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Glendale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | 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
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Glendale
28.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Glendale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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