Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Boston?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Boston?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $79,000 in Boston.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Boston?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Boise vs Boston Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $2,290 in Boston, MA. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $94,755 in Boston, MA — about 14% higher in Boston, MA. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Boston, MA

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,890

+85% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,978

+75% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$2,155

+61% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$2,234

+28% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$710,400

+56% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$94,755

+17% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$66,620

+36% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.2 yr

+5.0 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

35.4%

+27.6 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

54.1%

+7.5 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

19.1 min

30.2 min

+11.1 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

630.2

+109% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,030.8

+79% in Boston, MA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

51.5°F

+1.0°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

43.8 in

+32.0 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.95/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

28.8

+133% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$31.39

+190% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

9.00%

+3.7 pp in MA

Boise vs Boston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Boston?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Boston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $79,000 in Boston.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Boston?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Boston under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).