Boise ID vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Santa Clarita
229,021
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Santa Clarita +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 229,021 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.1 | Santa Clarita + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 83.6% | 53.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 4.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Santa Clarita
39.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.3% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 39.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $802,780 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 72.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Santa Clarita
9.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, CA | 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 +
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, 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 +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 37.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. 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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