Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Detroit?

Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Detroit?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Detroit Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Detroit

Michigan

$970/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 $970 in Detroit, MI. Overall, Detroit, MI is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $39,575 in Detroit, MI — about 51% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Detroit, MI

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$801

+22% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$752

+34% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,001

+25% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,195

+32% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$76,800

+83% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$39,575

+51% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$52,080

+6% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.1 yr

+3.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

49.7%

+13.3 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

17.6%

+29.0 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

25.4 min

+6.3 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

1,783.4

+492% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

1,135.1

4,391.6

+287% in Detroit, MI

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

50.3°F

+2.2°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

31.3 in

+19.6 in in Detroit, MI

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

22.0

+78% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$14.07

+30% in Detroit, MI

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

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Detroit, MI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Detroit, MI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MI)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.25%

+1.0 pp in ID

Boise vs Detroit — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Detroit?: Detroit, MI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Detroit?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $30,000 in Detroit.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Detroit?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Detroit under Michigan's (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).