Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Montgomery?

Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Montgomery.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Montgomery?

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

Boise vs Montgomery Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Montgomery, AL. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $55,687 in Montgomery, AL — about 32% 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

Montgomery, AL

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$864

+15% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$831

+27% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$982

+27% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,172

+33% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$148,500

+67% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$55,687

+32% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$44,950

+8% in Boise, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

36.2 yr

+2.0 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

54.3%

+8.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

33.5%

+13.1 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

20.5 min

+1.4 min in Montgomery, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

605.5

+101% in Montgomery, AL

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,258.3

+99% in Montgomery, 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

65.1°F

+12.6°F in Montgomery, AL

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

53.1 in

+41.3 in in Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$24.06

+112% in Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, 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 Montgomery — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Montgomery?: Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Boise, ID's $1,280, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Montgomery?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $33,000 in Montgomery.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Montgomery?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Montgomery 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).