Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Boise City, ID
VS
Fort Collins, CO
🏆 Boise City leads 15 of 22 categories
Boise City
Idaho
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,402
Violent Crime Index
77
Population
234,192 ✓ Larger
Fort Collins
Colorado
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6
Median Household Income
$78,977 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
168,758
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Boise City, ID
Pros
Rent averages $353/mo less ($1,223 vs $1,576)
Homes cost $96k less ($401,800 vs $497,400)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (3.8%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Fort Collins
Cons
Median income trails Fort Collins by $2,575/yr
Fort Collins, CO
Pros
More college-educated — 58.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 39°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 93°F
Households earn $2,575 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $497,400
Higher unemployment (5.3% vs 3.8%)
Snowy winters — about 49" of snow per year
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 Home Value
$96k less
$401,800 vs $497,400
Boise City
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.3% unemployment
Boise City
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 87.4°F
Fort Collins
Median Income
$2,575
$78,977 vs $76,402/yr
Fort Collins
Violent Crime
7% lower
272.7 vs 293.8 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Boise City, ID | Fort Collins, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper | 96.6 |
| Median Home Value | $401,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $497,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,223 ✓ Lower | $1,576⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,402 | $78,977 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.2 min ✓ Shorter | 20.3 min |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% | 17.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 68 ✓ Safer | 84 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 53 ✓ Safer | 103⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 45.8% | 58.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 95.2% | 97.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BOISE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT | Poudre School District R-1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.8°F | 45.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 87.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.5" ✓ Drier | 16.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.6" ✓ Less | 49.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 234,192 ✓ Larger | 168,758 |
| Median Age | 37.9 ✓ Older | 30.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.9% ✓ Higher | 51.7% |
| Under 18 | 18.9% ✓ More | 16.9% |
| Over 65 | 15.2% ✓ More | 11.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Boise City's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Fort Collins's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Boise City is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Boise City leads 15 of 22 categories. Boise City wins 15 and Fort Collins wins 7. 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 Fort Collins or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($401,800 vs $497,400 median home), income ($76,402 vs $78,977), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Boise City, ID and Fort Collins, CO are about 610 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.