Living Cost Compare
Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 23% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boise, ID
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$1,021
$933
+9% in Boise, ID
1 Bedroom
$1,133
$963
+15% in Boise, ID
2 Bedroom
$1,342
$1,132
+16% in Boise, ID
3 Bedroom
$1,749
$1,304
+25% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$456,000
$207,000
+55% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$81,308
$62,995
+23% in Boise, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$49,340
+0% in Indianapolis, IN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
34.1 yr
+4.1 yr in Boise, ID
Homeownership
63.0%
55.3%
+7.7 pp in Boise, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.6%
34.2%
+12.4 pp in Boise, ID
Avg Commute
19.1 min
24.3 min
+5.2 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
301
936.6
+211% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
1,135.1
3,351.7
+195% in Indianapolis, IN

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
53.2°F
+0.7°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
42.4 in
+30.7 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.29/gal
$3.94/gal
+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
12.3
18.1
+47% in Indianapolis, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$10.82
$13.70
+27% in Indianapolis, IN

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 Indianapolis, IN
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.77
+8% in Boise, ID
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.10
+4% in Indianapolis, IN
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 / IN)
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
2.95%
+2.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Indianapolis?
Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).