Boise ID vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Spokane
81.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 229,228 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.1% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 81.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 2.7% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.9% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.8% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $65,745 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $38,200 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.0% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 32.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 58.3% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, 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
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Spokane
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Spokane. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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