Boise ID vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 83.6% | 53.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $77,041 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $40,309 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.3% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 32.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 57.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 450 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2150 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 72.1°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.7 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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