Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Columbus?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Columbus?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax).

Boise vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $56,622 in Columbus, GA — about 30% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Columbus, GA

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$826

+19% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$875

+23% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$991

+26% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,221

+30% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$182,300

+60% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$56,622

+30% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$43,540

+11% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.1 yr

+3.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

50.2%

+12.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

29.7%

+16.9 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

20.2 min

+1.1 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

612.3

+103% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,273.4

+100% in Columbus, GA

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

65.7°F

+13.2°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

46.8 in

+35.0 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

15.8

+28% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$33.28

+208% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 / GA)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.19%

+0.1 pp in ID

Boise vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Columbus?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $35,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Columbus?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Columbus under Georgia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).