Rows tagged local are specific to Boise City (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Boise City, ID. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 6/10 (district 1600360 · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.2
metro-area
#86 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)
95.8
metro-area
#68 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.36
metro-area
#84 of 200
Median household income
$76,402
local
#68 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$40,067
local
#110 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
3.78%
local
#9 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+6.0%
local
#14 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$401,800
local
#165 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
5.3×
local
#169 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+0.3%
metro-area
#130 of 200
Price per square foot
$217
local
#163 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,850 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,223
local
#140 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,842
Median days on market
9
metro-area
#43 of 200
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.7%
state
#124 of 200
Combined sales tax
6.03%
state
#28 of 200
State income tax (top rate)
5.70%
Capital gains tax
5.80%
state
#137 of 200
High earners
No special surtax
Effective property tax rate
0.66%
local
#33 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,632
local
#81 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,200
state
#10 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#19 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$140
state
#124 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
19 min
local
#53 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
12.7¢/kWh
state
#2 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$114
state
#2 of 200
Gasoline
$3.70/gal
state
#168 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$52
state
#23 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$205
state
#194 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,100
state
#2 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$500
state
#1 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$300
state
#143 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
54
metro-area
#168 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200
Avg summer high
90°F
metro-area
#135 of 200
Avg winter low
24°F
metro-area
#124 of 200
Annual precipitation
11.7"
metro-area
#13 of 200
Annual snowfall
19.0"
metro-area
#121 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
61%
metro-area
#82 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
240
state
#13 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,300
state
#8 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200
Permit detail
Easy; fast-growing but light regulation
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.