Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Dover?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $42,000 in Dover.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Dover?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Boise vs Dover Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,280 in Boise, ID versus $1,270 in Dover, DE. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $58,336 in Dover, DE — about 28% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Dover, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$993

+3% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,047

+8% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,185

+12% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,634

+7% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$248,500

+46% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$58,336

+28% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$46,690

+5% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.1 yr

+3.1 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

47.0%

+16.0 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

27.1%

+19.5 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

24.0 min

+4.9 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

1,025.3

+241% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

1,135.1

6,159.1

+443% in Dover, DE

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

56.9°F

+4.4°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

46.0 in

+34.3 in in Dover, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

19.3

+34% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$29.73

+162% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 / DE)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

6.60%

+1.3 pp in DE

Boise vs Dover — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Dover?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Dover?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $42,000 in Dover.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Dover?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Dover under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).