Boise ID vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 220,482 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 83.6% | 59.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $44,756 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.3% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 12.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 33.5% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 56.5% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, 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
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 53.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 39.2 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.1 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Tacoma. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³).
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