Boise ID vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 83.6% | 53.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.1% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $73,055 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $41,594 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 43.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 53.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Saint Paul
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 284 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1992 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. 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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