Boise ID vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 203,888 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 83.6% | 70.5% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $74,925 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 13.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $580,126 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 46.8% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Salt Lake City
7.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 29.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.8°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.3 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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