Boise, Idaho
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Boise.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Boise?
For relocators asking how much Boise costs: the housing index sits at 126 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $456,000 and rents near $1,359. Local median income is about $81,308 and unemployment recently ran 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 20 minutes. Violent-offense rates run about 280.6 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 126U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $456,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,359U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $81,308U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 20 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 280.6per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Boise compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 237,963City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $81,308Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($78,538)U.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 126ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year26% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $456,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year50% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,359City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-yearNear U.S. avg ($1,348)U.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 20 min20% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 419% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 280.6annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)52% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1579.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)49% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 27°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals7.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 11.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals65% below U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 276As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Boise grew 13.5% from 209,576 in 2010 to 237,963 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Boise expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Boise runs 26 points higher on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 126 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $456,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,359 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Boise?
Budget first around $1,359/month rent or $456,000 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $456,000
- Median rent $1,359/month
- Median household income $81,308
What is the job market like in Boise?
Labor-market context for Boise: unemployment 3.2% and median income $81,308. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $81,308
How long is the typical commute in Boise?
Plan on roughly 20 minutes each way in Boise. Walk Score estimates around 41 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 20 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 41/100
Is Boise safer than similar U.S. cities?
Boise's FBI-derived violent rate (~280.6/100k) sits below the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 280.6 per 100k
- Property 1579.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Boise?
Boise's climate profile: 88°F summer peaks, 27°F winter mornings, 11.5" annual rainfall, and 276 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 27°F
- 11.5 in rain · 276 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Boise, Idaho will find roughly 237,963 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $81,308; our housing-derived cost index is about 126 (above the national housing-cost baseline). Budget for median rents around $1,359 a month before you lock a neighborhood.
High-desert basins and rapid in-migration have remade many local housing markets. Roughly 276 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Commutes average near 20 minutes one-way, with walkability near 41/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 3.2% for the surrounding county. Violent-offense rates around 280.6 per 100k are moderate for a large U.S. city, with meaningful variation by neighborhood.
Boise is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Boise with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Boise City city, 1600000US1608830) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Ada County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00024131 BOISE AIR TERMINAL) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10