Boise ID vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 83.6% | 39.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 6.5% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 14.5% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $580,173 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 41.1% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 398 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1999 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 32.8 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. 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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