Boise ID vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 83.6% | 61.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $80,269 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 16.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 48.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Minneapolis
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 284 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1992 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
7.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Minneapolis
30.6 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 30.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.2 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. 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