Boise ID vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 98,677 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 83.6% | 57.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.1% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.6% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $52,671 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $34,792 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.7% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 28.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 51.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Roanoke
1726
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1726 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 56.0°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 44.5 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Roanoke
21.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. 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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