Boise ID vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 83.6% | 36.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $42,300 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 36.4% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 51.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 30.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 61.0°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. 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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