Boise ID vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.6 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 83.6% | 70.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $538,687 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 52.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 355 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3001 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Portland
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 51.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 78.3 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.5 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. 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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