Living Cost Compare
Boise

Idaho

$1,260/mo est.

vs
Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 3% higher in Tacoma, WA. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID
Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio
$1,021
$1,178
+15% in Tacoma, WA
1 Bedroom
$1,133
$1,332
+18% in Tacoma, WA
2 Bedroom
$1,342
$1,693
+26% in Tacoma, WA
3 Bedroom
$1,749
$2,094
+20% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$456,000
$454,600
+0% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$81,308
$83,857
+3% in Tacoma, WA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$72,610
+48% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
38.2 yr
37.3 yr
+0.9 yr in Boise, ID
Homeownership
63.0%
56.5%
+6.5 pp in Boise, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
46.6%
33.5%
+13.1 pp in Boise, ID
Avg Commute
19.1 min
29.0 min
+9.9 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
301
1,064.4
+254% in Tacoma, WA
Property Crime
1,135.1
5,695.2
+402% in Tacoma, WA

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
52.1°F
+0.4°F in Boise, ID
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
43.0 in
+31.3 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.29/gal
$5.12/gal
+20% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
12.3
14.9
+21% in Tacoma, WA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$10.82
$20.41
+89% in Tacoma, WA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.82
about equal
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$2.04
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$7.36
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.01
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.70
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / WA)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in WA
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
None
+5.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Tacoma?
Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Tacoma?
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 Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Tacoma?
Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).