Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Huntsville?

Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $36,000 in Huntsville.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Huntsville?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Boise vs Huntsville Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Huntsville

Alabama

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Huntsville, AL. Overall, Huntsville, AL is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $70,778 in Huntsville, AL — about 13% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Huntsville, AL

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$815

+20% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$900

+21% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,080

+20% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,251

+28% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$263,100

+42% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$70,778

+13% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$51,740

+5% in Huntsville, AL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.4 yr

+1.8 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

58.1%

+4.9 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

46.2%

+0.4 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

19.3 min

+0.2 min in Huntsville, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

483.2

+61% in Huntsville, AL

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,395.7

+111% in Huntsville, AL

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

62.1°F

+9.6°F in Huntsville, AL

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

54.3 in

+42.6 in in Huntsville, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

16.4

+14% in Huntsville, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$24.06

+112% in Huntsville, AL

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 Huntsville, AL

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 / AL)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.00%

+0.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Huntsville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Huntsville?: Huntsville, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Huntsville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $36,000 in Huntsville.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Huntsville?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Huntsville under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% 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).