Is Boise expensive to live in?

Boise is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,133 per month ranks #51 of 112 and is 5% higher than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Boise?

Average rent in Boise, ID runs a studio around $1,021, a one-bedroom around $1,133, a two-bedroom around $1,342, a three-bedroom around $1,749 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Boise?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,133 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year. The median household income here is $81,308.

How much does it cost to live in Boise per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Boise is about $1,260 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Boise, ID

Population 235,701 · Idaho

~$1,260/mo est.1BR $1,133Home $456,000

Photo: Alden Skeie / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Boise, ID is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,133 a month — 5% higher than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,021 and two-bedrooms $1,342.

Median household income here is $81,308, 17% higher than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,260 before food and transport. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,133

Studio

$1,021

1 Bedroom

$1,133

2 Bedroom

$1,342

3 Bedroom

$1,749

Buying a Home$456,000

Median Home Value

$456,000

Income$81,308

Median Household Income

$81,308

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.82

Bread (lb)

$2.04

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities12.3¢/kWh

Electricity

12.3¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$10.82/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.29/gal

Regular Gasoline (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4))

$4.29/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (ID)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.30%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime301 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

301

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,135.1

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Boise Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 38.2 yrs

Median Age

38.2 yrs

Homeownership

63.0%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Climate52.5°F

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

Boise cost of living — FAQ

Is Boise expensive to live in?: Boise is on the pricier side of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,133 per month ranks #51 of 112 and is 5% higher than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Boise?: Average rent in Boise, ID runs a studio around $1,021, a one-bedroom around $1,133, a two-bedroom around $1,342, a three-bedroom around $1,749 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Boise?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,133 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year. The median household income here is $81,308.
How much does it cost to live in Boise per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Boise is about $1,260 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Boise with nearby cities

Boise vs Spokane Boise vs Salt Lake City Boise vs Reno Boise vs Portland Boise vs Eugene Boise vs Salem

Nearby cities

Spokane, WA 286 mi Salt Lake City, UT 296 mi Reno, NV 338 mi Portland, OR 344 mi Eugene, OR 344 mi Salem, OR 350 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.