Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boise City, ID
VS
Fairfield, CA
🏆 Boise City leads 19 of 23 categories
Boise City
Idaho
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,402
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
234,192 ✓ Larger
Fairfield
California
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,857 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High
Population
119,420
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Boise City, ID
Pros
Rent averages $824/mo less ($1,223 vs $2,047)
41% less violent crime than Fairfield
Homes cost $144k less ($401,800 vs $546,200)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (3.8%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Fairfield
Cons
Median income trails Fairfield by $22,455/yr
Fairfield, CA
Pros
Households earn $22,455 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 39°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,047/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $546,200
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Boise City
Key Differences at a Glance
Boise City
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Boise City
Violent Crime
41% lower
293.8 vs 498.0 per 100k
Boise City
Median Home Value
$144k less
$401,800 vs $546,200
Boise City
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.5% unemployment
Boise City
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 89.6°F
Fairfield
Median Income
$22,455
$98,857 vs $76,402/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boise City, ID | Fairfield, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper | 109.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $401,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $546,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,223 ✓ Lower | $2,047⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,402 | $98,857 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 32.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% ✓ Higher | 9.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 68 ✓ Safer | 111⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 131⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 53 ✓ Safer | 80 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 24.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.8% ✓ Higher | 27.8% |
| High School or Higher | 95.2% ✓ Higher | 87.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT | Fairfield-Suisun Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.8°F | 56.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 89.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.5" ✓ Drier | 24.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 234,192 ✓ Larger | 119,420 |
| Median Age | 37.9 ✓ Older | 35.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.9% ✓ Higher | 60.3% |
| Under 18 | 18.9% | 24.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.2% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boise City's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Fairfield's 109.2 (US average = 100).
Boise City is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Boise City leads 19 of 23 categories. Boise City wins 19 and Fairfield wins 4. 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 Fairfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($401,800 vs $546,200 median home), income ($76,402 vs $98,857), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boise City, ID and Fairfield, CA are about 477 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.