Home › Compare › San Jose, CA vs Boise, ID

Cost of Living: San Jose, CA 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.

30.7% Boise, ID is cheaper overall
45.1% 45.1% cheaper housing
12.5% 12.5% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 45.1% cheaper
San Jose
215
Boise
118
🛒 Groceries 12.5% cheaper
San Jose
112
Boise
98
🚗 Transportation 18.3% cheaper
San Jose
120
Boise
98
🏥 Healthcare 17.2% cheaper
San Jose
116
Boise
96
⚡ Utilities 20.0% cheaper
San Jose
110
Boise
88

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Jose, CA Boise, ID Difference
Overall Cost Index15010430.7% less
Housing21511845.1% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,800$1,30053.6% less
Median Home Price$1,350,000$430,00068.1% less
Groceries1129812.5% less
Transportation1209818.3% less
Healthcare1169617.2% less
Utilities1108820.0% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Jose, CA Boise, ID
State Income Tax13.30% (top)5.80%
State Sales Tax7.25%6.00%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.58%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Jose, CA
$140,000
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 San Jose lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Jose (150) vs Boise (104). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Jose3.5%
Boise3.0%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Jose3.5%
Boise3.8%
Top Industries
San JoseTech, Hardware, SaaS
BoiseTech, Agriculture, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Jose29 min
Boise21 min
Walk Score
San Jose50
Boise39
Air Quality (AQI)
San Jose40
Boise44
Avg Temperature
San Jose60°F
Boise52°F
Population
San Jose983,489
Boise235,684

Moving from San Jose to Boise?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Jose 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 San Jose 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 45.1%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Jose vs Boise?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,800/month in San Jose and $1,300/month in Boise — a difference of about $1,500 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Jose or Boise?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 San Jose to Boise?+
Median household income in San Jose is $140,000 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 San Jose vs Boise?+
The median home price in San Jose is $1,350,000 versus $430,000 in Boise — a difference of $920,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Idaho averages 0.58%.