Boise ID vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 83.6% | 61.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.2% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $871,599 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 44.3% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 383 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3409 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Seattle
22.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Seattle
6.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 22.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 37.5 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.8 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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