Boise ID vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 83.6% | 61.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.9% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $47,372 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 40.4% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1726 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.0 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. 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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