Boise ID vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 154,776 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 83.6% | 44.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $59,183 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $28,059 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 20.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 60.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 449 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2174 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 38.1 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.7 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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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