Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Richmond?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Richmond?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Boise vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 23% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,183

+16% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,195

+5% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,374

+2% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,447

+17% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$328,100

+28% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$62,671

+23% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$51,460

+5% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.5 yr

+3.7 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

43.5%

+19.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

44.1%

+2.5 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

22.1 min

+3.0 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

349

+16% in Richmond, VA

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,240.2

+185% in Richmond, VA

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

58.9°F

+6.4°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

43.6 in

+31.9 in in Richmond, VA

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

17.6

+43% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$23.66

+119% in Richmond, VA

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 Richmond, VA

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 / VA)

5.3%

+0.7 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.75%

+0.5 pp in VA

Boise vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Richmond?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Richmond?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).