Boise ID
Idaho · Pop. 237,242
Boise, ID: median household income of $83,904, median rent of $1,446/mo, 3.6% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$83,904
per year
Median Rent
$1,446
per month
Median Home
$485k
home value
Unemployment
3.6%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
10.6%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
19 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Boise, ID Reality Check"
In Boise, the rent-to-income burden runs around 21% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $83,904 and median rent is $1,446/month. 47% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $484,800 — that's 5.8× the median income. 63% of households own their home — unusually high for a major US city. Residents put down roots here. 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. Employment picture: 3.63% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 10.6%. Average commute: 19 minutes — mercifully short. Boise was founded in 1863 — that's 163 years of history baked into the streets. Elevation: 2,703 ft — high-altitude living. Known as: "City of Trees". RoastMyCity overall score: 68/100 — It Depends.