Boise ID vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 83.6% | 53.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 51.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 398 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1999 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 61.1°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 46.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA