Boise ID vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Boise +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Boise
1.4%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 43.1 | Boise + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 83.6% | 66.2% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 3.1% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.3% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
41.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $73,118 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.7% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 41.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
St. Petersburg
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
St. Petersburg
1453
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 324 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1453 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Petersburg
12.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.8 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in St. Petersburg. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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