Boise ID vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Stamford
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 135,806 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 83.6% | 49.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $708,498 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 47.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1524 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Stamford
8.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 25.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 52.3°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 53.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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