Boise ID vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 6.6% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 45.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 5.1% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $55,279 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $38,947 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.1% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 19.8% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 40.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 45.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 501 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2418 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | 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 +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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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