B
14%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
39%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Boise Idaho National
Cost of living11496100
Goods & Services106101100
Groceries104101100
Health care10299100
Housing13988100
Transportation111105100
Utilities8486100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Boise, ID

Understanding the cost of living in Boise can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Boise cost of living index is 114, which is 14% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

When it comes to the cost of living in Boise, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 39.1% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Boise?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 43 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Boise and this is how they responded. 42% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 58% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Boise Affordable?

Is Boise affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Boise, for instance, where the median home price falls 53.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 6.3% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Boise flaunting a median household income of $63,778, 15.3% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Boise?

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Boise, the general sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates begin at 1.125%.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Boise, the transportation index is 10.5% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Boise cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Boise is 19% higher than the Idaho average
  • The cost of living in Boise is 14% higher than the national average
  • Boise housing is 39% higher than the national average
  • Idaho general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Idaho state income tax is 50% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Boise

See all the best places to live around Boise

Compare Boise, ID Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$80,519$6,710$1,879$2,416
      Renters$42,102$3,509$982$1,263
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Boise, ID, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Boise homeowners, is $80,519. This would allow for a maximum of $1,879 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $42,102 which would result in a maximum of $982 to be spent on rental costs.

      Idaho Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Idaho 6% 8.5%

      Idaho Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Idaho 1.125% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Boise National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.88$24.2614.9%
      Beauty Salon $41.57$45.568.8%
      Toothpaste $4.22$3.7014.1%
      Shampoo $1.21$1.285.3%
      Movie $11.60$12.134.4%
      Bowling $18.53$18.002.9%

      Groceries

      Item Boise National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.96$5.842.1%
      Fried Chicken $1.46$1.577.0%
      Milk $4.91$4.675.0%
      Potatoes $4.57$4.937.4%
      Pizza $11.56$12.094.4%
      Beer $10.59$10.411.7%

      Health Care

      Item Boise National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $152.62$125.6821.4%
      Doctor $150.90$135.7811.1%
      Dentist $97.00$113.2914.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.79$10.651.3%
      Lipitor $524.49$468.6011.9%

      Housing

      Item Boise National avg. Difference
      Home Price $282,900.00$184,700.0053.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,525.04$2,346.697.6%
      Apartment Rent $1,009.00$949.006.3%

      Transportation

      Item Boise National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.60$3.463.9%
      Tire Balancing $75.93$59.9226.7%

      Utilities

      Item Boise National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $154.20$193.9920.5%
      Phone $176.97$192.257.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Garden City, ID11,8731087.6%
      Kuna, ID20,98511110.6%
      Star, ID9,81911515.5%
      Robie Creek, ID1,38011716.9%
      Meridian, ID107,78711818.2%
      Boise, ID228,05711414.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Richmond, VA229,2331088.4%
      Windsor, ON230,583n/a 
      Richmond, BC222,489n/a 
      Hialeah, FL233,87611413.6%
      Baton Rouge, LA222,191972.7%
      Boise, ID228,05711414.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.