Boise ID vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Provo
78.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 114,303 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 83.6% | 78.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.1% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.2% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $62,800 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $26,755 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 22.3% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 45.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 39.9% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Provo
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Provo
8.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Provo
7.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 21.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.4°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 19.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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