Boise ID vs Johnson City TN — 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%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Johnson City
71,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Johnson City
35.1
Johnson City +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Johnson City
4.6%
White
Boise
83.6%
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Johnson City
2.0%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Johnson City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 71,455 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.1 | Johnson City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 4.6% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 84.0% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.3% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.0% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 5.6% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Johnson City
$55,429
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Johnson City
$36,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Johnson City
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Johnson City
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Johnson City
41.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $55,429 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,451 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 21.1% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 41.8% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $294,254 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 49.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 639 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2350 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Johnson City
17.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | 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 +
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.3 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA