Boise ID vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 198,440 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 5.5% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 27.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.3% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 4.8% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Boise +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Montgomery
33.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $55,687 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $32,068 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $51,690 | Boise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 20.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 33.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 54.3% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Montgomery
1734
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 400 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1734 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
12.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 46.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 64.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 52.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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