Boise ID vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Salinas
1.4%
Salinas +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 161,993 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 83.6% | 21.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.4% | Salinas + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $28,813 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.2% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 15.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $751,711 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 47.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, 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
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 57.3°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, 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 +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.8 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Salinas. 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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