Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Bowling Green?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Bowling Green?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Bowling Green Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY — about 40% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Bowling Green, KY

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$878

+14% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$833

+26% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$960

+28% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,214

+31% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$232,100

+49% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$48,419

+40% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$45,040

+8% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

27.9 yr

+10.3 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

37.3%

+25.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

32.0%

+14.6 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

18.8 min

+0.3 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

231

+23% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,984.4

+163% in Bowling Green, KY

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

58.0°F

+5.5°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

49.9 in

+38.2 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

15.0

+21% in Bowling Green, KY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$29.48

+172% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Bowling Green, KY

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / KY)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

3.50%

+1.8 pp in ID

Boise vs Bowling Green — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Bowling Green?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Bowling Green?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Bowling Green.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Bowling Green?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Bowling Green under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% 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).