Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Newark?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $56,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Newark?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax).

Boise vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,280/mo est.

Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $71,373 in Newark, DE — about 12% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Newark, DE

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,649

+62% in Newark, DE

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,391

+23% in Newark, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,513

+13% in Newark, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,916

+10% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$357,600

+22% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$71,373

+12% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$54,310

+11% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

22.0 yr

+16.2 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

50.3%

+12.7 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

57.5%

+10.9 pp in Newark, DE

Avg Commute

19.1 min

19.6 min

+0.5 min in Newark, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

326.3

+8% in Newark, DE

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,024.6

+78% in Newark, DE

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

54.9°F

+2.4°F in Newark, DE

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

43.1 in

+31.3 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

19.3

+34% in Newark, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$29.73

+162% in Newark, DE

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 Newark, DE

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 / DE)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

6.60%

+1.3 pp in DE

Boise vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Newark?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $56,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Newark?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Newark under Delaware's (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).