Below Average CostSafer than AverageBOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT
Boise, Idaho · Jyoni Shuler / CC BY-SA 4.0Jack's Urban Meeting Place and the JR Simplot World Headquarters · Patrick Rodriguez / CC BY-SA 4.0Boise Zoo (Julia Davis Park) · Tamanoeconomico / CC BY-SA 4.0Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial · Tamanoeconomico / CC BY-SA 4.0
Boise City is a mid-sized city of 234,192 in Idaho, with a median household income of $76,402
and a 3.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Boise City stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B+), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include high home prices. Whether Boise City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Boise City city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 93.4
Boise City's overall cost of living index is 93.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Boise City costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Boise City, ID
National Avg
Median Home Value
$401,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,223
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
62.9%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$76,402
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Boise City's violent crime rate is 293.8 per 100,000 residents
— 23% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
293.8 /100k
Property Crime
1110.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Boise City is served primarily by BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Boise City, ID
National Avg
School District
BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
34
—
Middle Schools
8
—
High Schools
8
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
45.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
95.2%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Boise City sees average highs of 38.8°F in January
and 92.7°F in July,
with 11.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 17.6 inches of snow per year.
Boise City's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Boise City roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $401,800 and median rent is $1,223/month.
Boise City's violent crime rate is 293.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1110.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Boise City are operated by BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT.
The district has 34 elementary, 8 middle, and 8 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.7:1. 45.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Boise City, ID has a population of 234,192, a median household income of $76,402, and an unemployment rate of 3.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Boise City averages 38.8°F in January and 92.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 11.5 inches
with about 17.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Boise City, ID is covered by 10 ZIP codes: 83709, 83705, 83704, 83702, 83706, 83713, 83703, 83712, 83725, 83720.
The population of Boise City, Idaho is 234,192 with a median age of 37.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Boise City: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $401,800, median household income $76,402, crime index 68 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Boise City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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