Boise ID vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 83.6% | 51.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $66,981 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $37,269 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 31.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 57.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Jacksonville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Jacksonville
1453
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 70.2°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 50.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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