Living Cost Compare
Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

vs
Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 18% higher in Meridian, ID. Both cities are in Idaho, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID
Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio
$1,021
$1,523
+49% in Meridian, ID
1 Bedroom
$1,133
$1,540
+36% in Meridian, ID
2 Bedroom
$1,342
$1,489
+11% in Meridian, ID
3 Bedroom
$1,749
$1,893
+8% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$456,000
$485,000
+6% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$81,308
$98,686
+21% in Meridian, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$49,100
about equal

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
37.4 yr
+0.8 yr in Boise, ID
Homeownership
63.0%
76.1%
+13.1 pp in Meridian, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.6%
44.4%
+2.2 pp in Boise, ID
Avg Commute
19.1 min
22.3 min
+3.2 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
301
150.3
+50% in Boise, ID
Property Crime
1,135.1
583.5
+49% in Boise, ID

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
52.5°F
about equal
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
11.7 in
about equal

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$4.27/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
14.4
about equal
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$11.33
about equal

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.82
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$2.04
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$7.36
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.01
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.70
about equal

Average prices — West vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / ID)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
5.30%
about equal

Boise vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Meridian?
Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Meridian?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Meridian?
Neither — both are in Idaho, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).