Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Denver?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Denver?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Boise vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/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 $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 11% higher in Denver, CO. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,497

+47% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,583

+40% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,958

+46% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$2,269

+30% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$586,700

+29% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$91,681

+13% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$62,320

+27% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.2 yr

+3.0 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

49.1%

+13.9 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

55.6%

+9.0 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

19.1 min

25.4 min

+6.3 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

999.3

+232% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

1,135.1

4,781.1

+321% in Denver, CO

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

50.2°F

+2.3°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

15.6 in

+3.8 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$4.27/gal

+0% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTD (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

16.2

+31% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$11.92

+10% in Denver, CO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / CO)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.40%

+0.9 pp in ID

Boise vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Denver?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Denver?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).