Boise ID vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 190,214 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 83.6% | 40.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $66,772 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,694 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.4% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 20.1% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 34.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 41.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Providence
1303
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1303 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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