Home › Compare › New York, NY vs Boise, ID

Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Boise, ID

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

28.3% Boise, ID is cheaper overall
39.5% 39.5% cheaper housing
15.5% 15.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 39.5% cheaper
New York
195
Boise
118
🛒 Groceries 15.5% cheaper
New York
116
Boise
98
🚗 Transportation 24.6% cheaper
New York
130
Boise
98
🏥 Healthcare 16.5% cheaper
New York
115
Boise
96
⚡ Utilities 21.4% cheaper
New York
112
Boise
88

Detailed Breakdown

Category New York, NY Boise, ID Difference
Overall Cost Index14510428.3% less
Housing19511839.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,200$1,30059.4% less
Median Home Price$750,000$430,00042.7% less
Groceries1169815.5% less
Transportation1309824.6% less
Healthcare1159616.5% less
Utilities1128821.4% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New York, NY Boise, ID
State Income Tax10.90% (top)5.80%
State Sales Tax4.00%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.40%0.58%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New York, NY
$115,000
Median household income
Boise, ID
$72,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Boise costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Boise to maintain your New York lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: New York (145) vs Boise (104). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New York5.1%
Boise3.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
New York2.8%
Boise3.8%
Top Industries
New YorkFinance, Media, Tech
BoiseTech, Agriculture, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New York41 min
Boise21 min
Walk Score
New York89
Boise39
Air Quality (AQI)
New York48
Boise44
Avg Temperature
New York55°F
Boise52°F
Population
New York8,258,035
Boise235,684

Moving from New York to Boise?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New York and Boise → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Boise →

Compare Other Cities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York or Boise cheaper to live in?+
Boise is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 39.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New York vs Boise?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,200/month in New York and $1,300/month in Boise — a difference of about $1,900 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New York or Boise?+
New York has a state income tax of 10.90% (top) and sales tax of 4.00%. Idaho has a state income tax of 5.80% and sales tax of 6.00%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from New York to Boise?+
Median household income in New York is $115,000 compared to $72,000 in Boise. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in New York vs Boise?+
The median home price in New York is $750,000 versus $430,000 in Boise — a difference of $320,000. Property tax rates also differ: New York averages 1.40% while Idaho averages 0.58%.