Boise 84 Exceptional
Boise Livability #7 ranked city in Idaho#644 ranked city in the USARanks better than 97% of areas

Boise, ID - The City of Trees

Boise, ID, known as 'The City of Trees,' offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern urban amenities. Located in southwestern Idaho, Boise is a large city that serves as the state capital and a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Meridian and Nampa enhance its status as a central point in the region. Boise's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Boise is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Idaho State Capitol, the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary, and the scenic Boise River Greenbelt. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Kathryn Albertson Park to the bustling Boise Towne Square, known for its shopping and dining. Boise's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from farm-to-table cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Treefort Music Fest and the Boise Art Museum's Art in the Park highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Boise's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Boise State University contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Boise is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Morrison Center for the Performing Arts and the Boise Art Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Boise provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Boise’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Boise Hawks (MiLB) and the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Boise include healthcare, education, and technology, with significant employers such as St. Luke's Health System and Micron Technology driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making commuting convenient and accessible.

Pros and Cons of Living in Boise

PROS
  • Commute

    High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.

  • Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

  • Schools

    High test scores, elevated graduation rates as well as the conveniently located elementary and high schools in this area have all contributed to the high score in the schools category.

CONS
  • Nothing Found

    No cons were found for this area, as there were no categories that scored well below average.

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What's it like Living in Boise?

Located in the state of Idaho, Boise is a large city with a population of 228,057 people. If we look at the most recent Census, Boise is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Boise is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 19 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Boise, Idaho. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Boise and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Boise to Idaho and the national average.

Boise, ID receives 83/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #7 in Idaho and #713 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Boise could be a great choice! Boise also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Boise scores well for amenities (B-), crime (B-), cost of living (B), education (B+) and housing (A+)

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Boise excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Boise is actually affordable. The median home price for Boise homes is $282,900, which is 68.5% higher than the Idaho average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Boise, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 29.4% higher than the Idaho average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Boise

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Boise?

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Compare Boise, ID Livability

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      Boise transportation information

      Statistic Boise Idaho National
      Average one way commute19min20min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.5%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.1%10.0%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%0.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle2.7%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.2%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home8.5%5.9%4.6%
      Source: The Boise, ID data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).