Boise ID vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Boise
1.4%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 83.6% | 48.3% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.1% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $62,917 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $32,983 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.1% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 28.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 52.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.2% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 68.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 34.9 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.5 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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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