Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Providence?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Providence?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Boise vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 18% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,116

+9% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,030

+9% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,323

+1% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,627

+7% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$322,800

+29% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$66,772

+18% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$53,680

+9% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

32.9 yr

+5.3 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

41.2%

+21.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

34.7%

+11.9 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

25.0 min

+5.9 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

282.4

+6% in Boise, ID

Property Crime

1,135.1

1,665.6

+47% in Providence, RI

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

51.6°F

+0.9°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

47.2 in

+35.5 in in Providence, RI

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

29.5

+139% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$16.06

+48% in Providence, RI

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 Providence, RI

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 / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.99%

+0.7 pp in RI

Boise vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Providence?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Providence?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% 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).