Boise ID vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Norwalk
4.2%
Norwalk +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 100,713 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 83.6% | 24.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.2% | Norwalk + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $31,989 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.6% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 21.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $765,319 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
26.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Norwalk
10.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 26.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | 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 +
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 32.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. 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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