Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boise City, ID
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Boise City leads 14 of 23 categories
Boise City
Idaho
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,402 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
234,192
Durham
North Carolina
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6
Median Household Income
$74,710
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Boise City, ID
Pros
53% less violent crime than Durham
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (3.8%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Durham
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $401,800
Durham, NC
Pros
Homes cost $85k less ($316,600 vs $401,800)
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 39°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Boise City
Key Differences at a Glance
Boise City
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 96.6 (100 = US avg)
Boise City
Median Income
$1,692
$76,402 vs $74,710/yr
Boise City
Violent Crime
53% lower
293.8 vs 619.2 per 100k
Boise City
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
3.8% vs 4.3% unemployment
Boise City
Summer Heat
5.7°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 87.0°F
Durham
Median Home Value
$85k less
$316,600 vs $401,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boise City, ID | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper | 96.6 |
| Median Home Value | $401,800⚠ High | $316,600⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,223 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,402 ✓ Higher | $74,710 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 4.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 22.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 68 ✓ Safer | 170⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 53 ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.8% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.2% ✓ Higher | 91.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.8°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.0°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.5" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.6" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 234,192 | 284,094 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.9 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.9% ✓ Higher | 52.0% |
| Under 18 | 18.9% | 20.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.2% ✓ More | 12.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boise City's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Boise City is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Boise City leads 14 of 23 categories. Boise City wins 14 and Durham wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Boise City to Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($401,800 vs $316,600 median home), income ($76,402 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boise City, ID and Durham, NC are about 2,032 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.