salaryBoise City is the largest city in Idaho that we track, with 237,242 residents. Rent is higher than in 53% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.4 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $68,440 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Idaho cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Idaho. It is number 25 of 36 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Boise City with other big cities
Compare Boise City to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Boise City?
Share of households by yearly income. 30.0% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Boise City
| Size | Boise City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,202 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,293 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,537 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,931 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,722 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Boise City overall?
Everyday prices in the Boise City metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Boise City
Life in Boise City
What jobs pay in Boise City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $150,710 | 13.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,800 | 15.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,610 | 15.5% |
| Software Developer | $131,590 | 15.6% |
| Lawyer | $109,780 | 18.7% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,510 | 20.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,880 | 21.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,650 | 21.7% |
| Police Officer | $84,940 | 24.2% |
| Operations Manager | $83,680 | 24.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $81,280 | 25.3% |
| Accountant | $76,700 | 26.8% |
| Firefighter | $76,280 | 26.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,950 | 30.7% |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,380 | 32.9% |
| Electrician | $61,610 | 33.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,230 | 33.5% |
| Truck Driver | $60,330 | 34.0% |
| HVAC Technician | $57,270 | 35.9% |
| Plumber | $56,940 | 36.1% |
| Carpenter | $50,850 | 40.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,640 | 44.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,310 | 44.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,480 | 46.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,220 | 52.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,230 | 55.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,830 | 57.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,670 | 57.6% |
| Cashier | $32,000 | 64.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Boise City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,653 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $484,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $48,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Boise City, ID?
Renting in Boise City costs a median of about $1,711 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Idaho median is $1,565.
How much do I need to make to live in Boise City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $68,440 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Boise City cheap or expensive?
Boise City is rated OK: rent takes 22.7% of the typical household income of $90,490. It ranks 25th cheapest of 36 Idaho cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Boise City?
The median homeowner in Boise City pays $2,883 a year in property taxes, about 0.59% of the median home value.
Is Boise City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Boise City?
The median home value in Boise City is $484,800, about 5.4 times the typical yearly household income.
237,242 people live in Boise City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.