Housing, wages, utilities and a realistic monthly budget
By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 19, 202620 sources
Overall prices in the Boise metro are close to the U.S. average (about 2% below in 2024, the newest year the BEA has published; 2025 figures are due in December 2026), but housing costs more than average. Pay has caught up: average private-sector pay is about even with the U.S. ($38.02 vs $37.69 an hour, Sept 2026). Homes in Boise sold for a median of about $541,000 in Sept 2026 ($575,000 for resale homes across Ada County), and apartment rents in Boise average about $1,620 for a 1-bedroom and $1,850 for a 2-bedroom.
| Los Angeles, CA | Boise | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall price level (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 98.4 |
| Housing price level | 170.4 | 105.6 |
| Typical rent, all rentals | $2,929 | $1,924 |
| Typical home value | $950,000 | $492,000 |
| State income tax | up to 13.3% | 5.3% flat |
Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. Home values: Zillow, Sept 2026. Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index (all rentals), Sept 2026. Metro areas, not just the core city. An estimate, not a promise.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bedroom apartment | About $1,580 to $1,620 | Boise average, Sept 2026 to Oct 2026 (RentCafe, Apartments.com). Newer buildings and houses cost more |
| Rent, 2-bedroom apartment | About $1,780 to $1,850 | Boise average, Sept 2026 to Oct 2026 (RentCafe, Apartments.com). A 3-bedroom averages about $2,120, and houses usually cost more |
| Property tax, $540,000 home you live in | About $160 to $320 a month ($1,900 to $3,850 a year) | With the homeowner's exemption, at 2025 levy rates: about $1,900 a year in Meridian and $3,850 in Boise (Boise School District areas). Without the exemption (rentals, second homes) it is about $2,450 to $5,000 a year. Your mortgage escrow payment will be higher because it also includes homeowner's insurance |
| Electricity | About $115 to $125 | Rough estimate for a home using 900 kWh, based on Idaho Power's 2026 rate filings. Summer A/C bills run higher |
| Gasoline | About $195 | 40 gallons (about 1,000 miles at 25 mpg) at $4.84 a gallon, Oct 20, 2026. Prices swing a lot |
| Child care, full-time infant at a Boise-area center | About $1,600 to $2,400 | Published Boise rates we found: $1,600 (Hygge Kinder House) and $2,382 (Boise State Children's Center, community rate). Statewide averages (about $884 a month in 2024) understate Boise prices. Ask several centers early; openings for infants can be limited |
These are typical figures, not a full budget. Water, sewer, trash, natural gas, internet, insurance and food vary by city and household. Use the moving budget tool for your own numbers. Source: RentCafe: Boise average rent
If you are coming from coastal California, Seattle, Denver or the Northeast, usually yes, mostly because of housing. If you are coming from Texas, the Midwest or the Southeast, housing may cost more here. Use the calculator above, or see our city comparison.
Usually for home prices and rents, yes. Nampa and Caldwell generally cost less than Boise, Meridian and Eagle, but commutes into Boise can add time and fuel costs.
Utility prices in the Boise metro were about 29% below the U.S. average in 2024 (BEA index 70.7), thanks largely to hydropower. Rates rose in 2026: Idaho Power's rate case added about $12 a month for a typical home on Jan. 1, 2026, and a smaller adjustment was proposed for June 1.
A flat 5.3% state income tax, 6% sales tax on most purchases including groceries, and property tax that depends on your city. See the state tax and property tax guides.
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