Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Huntington?

Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Huntington.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Huntington?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Huntington Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Huntington

West Virginia

$940/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 $940 in Huntington, WV. Overall, Huntington, WV is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $43,146 in Huntington, WV — about 47% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; West Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 4.82% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Huntington, WV

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$762

+25% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$758

+33% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$881

+34% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,121

+36% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$118,800

+74% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$43,146

+47% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$44,600

+9% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.9 yr

+3.3 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

52.5%

+10.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

34.5%

+12.1 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

18.6 min

+0.5 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

800.3

+166% in Huntington, WV

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,617.9

+219% in Huntington, WV

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

55.7°F

+3.2°F in Huntington, WV

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

42.6 in

+30.9 in in Huntington, WV

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

15.4

+8% in Huntington, WV

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$24.68

+118% in Huntington, WV

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 Huntington, WV

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 / WV)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.82%

+0.5 pp in ID

Boise vs Huntington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Huntington?: Huntington, WV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Huntington?: 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 Huntington.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Huntington?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntington under West Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 4.82% 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).