Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Memphis?

Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Memphis?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Boise vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Memphis, TN is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 37% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$877

+14% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$948

+16% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,073

+20% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,281

+27% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$157,100

+66% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$51,211

+37% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$46,890

+5% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.3 yr

+3.9 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

46.0%

+17.0 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

28.2%

+18.4 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

21.3 min

+2.2 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

2,507.6

+733% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

1,135.1

6,966.3

+514% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+10.6°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

53.7 in

+42.0 in in Memphis, TN

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 MATA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

14.5

+17% in Memphis, TN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$16.83

+56% in Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

+1.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

None

+5.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Memphis?: Memphis, TN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,110 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Memphis?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax 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).