Boise ID vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.3 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 83.6% | 53.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $507,575 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 56.6% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Plano
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Plano
14.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Plano
8.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. 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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