Boise ID vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Manchester
76.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 115,415 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 83.6% | 76.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.3% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $77,415 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $44,220 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 10.7% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 33.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 49.3% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Manchester
1048
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1048 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 44.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.7 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³).
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