Boise ID vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 209,720 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 83.6% | 41.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.2% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $46,628 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $30,451 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 26.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 29.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 37.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 434 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1736 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 34.3 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. 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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