Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Pittsburgh?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Pittsburgh?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boise vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 21% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,109

+9% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,079

+5% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,269

+5% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,450

+17% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$193,200

+58% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$64,137

+21% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$49,650

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

33.5 yr

+4.7 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

47.2%

+15.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

47.8%

+1.2 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

19.1 min

23.1 min

+4.0 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

436

+45% in Pittsburgh, PA

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,315.7

+104% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

51.8°F

+0.7°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

39.3 in

+27.6 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

21.6

+74% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$19.17

+77% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

$1.92

+6% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / PA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

3.07%

+2.2 pp in ID

Boise vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Pittsburgh?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Pittsburgh?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).