Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Raleigh?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $53,000 in Raleigh.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Raleigh?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax).

Boise vs Raleigh Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/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 $1,510 in Raleigh, NC. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $82,424 in Raleigh, NC — about 1% higher in Raleigh, NC. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Raleigh, NC

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,301

+27% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,323

+17% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,462

+9% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,715

+2% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$377,800

+17% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$82,424

+1% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$51,990

+6% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.7 yr

+3.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

51.2%

+11.8 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

52.9%

+6.3 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

19.1 min

23.4 min

+4.3 min in Raleigh, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

491.5

+63% in Raleigh, NC

Property Crime

1,135.1

2,838.4

+150% in Raleigh, NC

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

60.6°F

+8.1°F in Raleigh, NC

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

46.0 in

+34.3 in in Raleigh, NC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Boise, ID

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

Adult base one-way fare — — vs GoRaleigh (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

15.1

+22% in Raleigh, NC

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$27.56

+155% in Raleigh, NC

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 Raleigh, NC

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 / NC)

4.75%

+1.3 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

3.99%

+1.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Raleigh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Raleigh?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Raleigh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $53,000 in Raleigh.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Raleigh?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Raleigh under North Carolina's (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).