Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boise City, ID
VS
Elk Grove, CA
🏆 Boise City leads 14 of 23 categories
Boise City
Idaho
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,402
Violent Crime Index
77
Population
234,192 ✓ Larger
Elk Grove
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,864 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
50 ✓ Safer
Population
176,105
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Boise City, ID
Pros
Rent averages $853/mo less ($1,223 vs $2,076)
Homes cost $159k less ($401,800 vs $560,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.8%)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Elk Grove
More college-educated — 45.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Elk Grove by $39,462/yr
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
Households earn $39,462 more per year on average
35% less violent crime than Boise City
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 39°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $560,500
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Boise City
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Boise City
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Boise City
Median Home Value
$159k less
$401,800 vs $560,500
Boise City
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.4% unemployment
Elk Grove
Median Income
$39,462
$115,864 vs $76,402/yr
Elk Grove
Violent Crime
35% lower
189.9 vs 293.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boise City, ID | Elk Grove, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $401,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $560,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,223 ✓ Lower | $2,076⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,402 | $115,864 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 33.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 68 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 53 ✓ Safer | 59 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.8% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 95.2% ✓ Higher | 90.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT | Elk Grove Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.8°F | 56.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 92.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.5" ✓ Drier | 18.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 234,192 ✓ Larger | 176,105 |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.9% | 73.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.9% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.2% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boise City's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Elk Grove's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Boise City is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Boise City leads 14 of 23 categories. Boise City wins 14 and Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($401,800 vs $560,500 median home), income ($76,402 vs $115,864), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boise City, ID and Elk Grove, CA are about 448 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.