The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered. We are providing additional data around those topics that can be helpful to gauge your particular situation. The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make living cost comparisons easily and quickly.

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered. We are providing additional data around those topics that can be helpful to gauge your particular situation. The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make living cost comparisons easily and quickly.

Cost of Living in Boise, ID

Cost of Living in Boise, ID is

1.2% Higher

than the National Average

Did the Cost of Living in Boise, ID increase in 2024? Boise, ID area prices were up 2.5% from a year ago. The largest increases were found in Transportation, Food, and Housing.

By using Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator, you can make a cost of living comparison of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and salary differentials of over 300+ US cities. Let us help you make an informed decision about what it will cost to live and work in the city of your dreams!

About Boise, Idaho Boise (/ˈbɔɪsi/ (listen)) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, and is the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise....More

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour while Idaho's state law sets the minimum wage rate at $7.25 per hour in 2024. Demands for a living wage that is fair to workers have resulted in numerous location-based changes to minimum wage levels. View future changes in the minimum wage in your location by visiting Minimum Wage Values in Boise, ID

Cost of Living Calculator

Your Current Title

Your Current Salary

Present Location (Home)

Present Location (Work)

New Location (Home)

New Location (Work)

Re-calculate

Cost of Living in other Major Cities

City, State	Compared to national average
City, State San Francisco, CA	Compared to national average + 86.5%
City, State Washington, DC	Compared to national average + 45.2%
City, State Miami, FL	Compared to national average + 15.4%
City, State Chicago, IL	Compared to national average + 12.4%
City, State Boston, MA	Compared to national average + 53.1%
City, State New York, NY	Compared to national average + 77.0%
City, State Dallas, TX	Compared to national average + 7.0%

Cost of Living Boise, ID by Expense Category

Category	Compared to national average
CategoryEnergy	Compared to national average -11.0%
CategoryFood	Compared to national average -36.6%
CategoryHealthcare	Compared to national average + 1.7%
CategoryHousing	Compared to national average -23.5%
CategoryTransportation	Compared to national average + 16.6%

Cost of Living Comparison with Boise, ID

If you move to Boise from one of these cities, you would have these the changes of your cost of living.

Move From	Move To	Cost Of Living Comparison
Move FromSan Francisco, CA	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -85.3%
Move FromWashington, DC	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -43.9%
Move FromMiami, FL	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -14.1%
Move FromChicago, IL	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -11.1%
Move FromBoston, MA	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -51.9%
Move FromNew York, NY	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -75.8%
Move FromDallas, TX	Move ToBoise, ID	Cost Of Living Comparision -5.8%

Based on this cost of living comparison, you can see:

If you move from Chicago IL, Dallas, TX, or Miami, FL, the percent increase of your cost of living could be 22.8%, 37.8%, and 24.8%. Looks like this move could have a negative net change in disposable income, so please think carefully!

If you move from New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC, the percent reduction of your cost of living could be -43.50%, -23%, and -20.10%, that's good news to you that you could be looking at a positive net change in disposable income.

About Boise, ID

Boise (/ˈbɔɪsi/ (listen)) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, and is the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, the population of Boise at the 2010 Census was 205,671, the 99th largest in the United States. Its estimated population in 2016 was 223,154. Boise is in southwestern Idaho, about 41 miles (66 km) east of the Oregon border, and 110 miles (177 km) north of the Nevada border. The downtown area's elevation is 2,704 feet (824 m) above sea level. Most of the metropolitan area lies on a broad, flat plain, descending to the ...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

Comments about the Cost of Living in Boise, ID

I love to be able to eat at restaurants and try different foods, if I include that along with groceries in my overall cost of living, how would I do in Boise, ID?

In Boise, Idaho going out to eat at a restaurant and buying food is considered to be affordable. Make sure you take this into account as you plan your overall cost of living in Boise, ID. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Boise, ID?

Boise, ID does not have a major sports team, but don’t worry, check out local colleges and high school sports schedules. These games usually have very cheap tickets and the spirit and enthusiasm of the crowd often makes up for the level of skill. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

How much is the average price of internet in Boise, ID?

The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

I am moving with children, what should I do to make the move less stressful for them and myself?

Adults find that moving can sometimes be an emotional and stressful experience. Children, who don’t have the maturity, independence, and understanding of a parent may be even more sensitive to a move. If they are old enough to understand, include the children in making plans for the move. When moving to a distant place, help your children learn about the new area. Check out the website for Boise, Idaho to find opportunities and activities in the new location like parks, beaches, museums, or playgrounds that kids will enjoy and look forward to visiting. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

I need to understand how to budget for energy, is the cost electricity going up or down in Boise, Idaho?

The cost of electricity in Idaho has gone down by 7.355% in the past year. It is possible that electric rates may fluctuate depending on consumption rates, government regulations and even the weather. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

I have a child, how much will child care cost per month in Boise, Idaho ?

The estimated average annual cost for child care in Boise, Idaho (based on state average), is $7200. This cost is ranked NO. 40 nationally. Some employers have company provided day care centers that let you bring your child to work with you and receive care on site. Some colleges and universities with Childhood Education programs also may have day care centers available at reduced costs, so you should explore those possibilities to see if you can reduce your child care expense. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

What are rents like in Boise,ID?

In Boise,ID, the median rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is $719, and for a 2 bedroom apartment is $923. In general, in the past year, rental costs in Boise have increased by approximately 1.8%. Since rental expense makes up a significant part of the cost of living, you should consider this expense and how it might change when you calculate your cost of living in a new city. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Boise, Idaho that is not very expensive?

Looks for areas of Boise, Idaho where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Boise, ID to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

How does Boise, Idaho compare to the rest of U.S. as far as all the taxes that will affect my cost of living?

Good question. Based on Individual income taxes (which you will pay on earnings), Sales taxes (pay for your purchases), property taxes (on your home or indirectly on your rent), unemployment insurance taxes (from your income), and general business taxes (impacting employers ability to offer jobs and good pay), in Boise, the overall tax climate compared to the rest of the country is in the middle. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

Is Boise, Idaho very congested with traffic?

Overall, the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. Boise, Idaho has an ease of driving ranking of 25 and is considered pretty good overall for commuters. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

How long does it take to get to work in Boise, Idaho on average?

Getting to work is important. The weather, traffic, time of year, day of week and if there are accidents, can all impact your commute time. Hopefully you will have a smooth commute in Boise, Idaho, but be prepared for delays. The time you spend commuting is time you do not have to do other things, so it is valuable. The average time for commuting in Boise is 21.05 minutes. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?

In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?

The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly. ( 2024-04-24 salary.com )

Last Update: 2024-04-24