Boise ID vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 102,558 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 83.6% | 70.1% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.7% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $58,568 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $31,987 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 17.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 25.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 57.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 63.4°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 28.9 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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