Central, mid-century and more affordable, with the airport and I-84 close by
By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 23, 20267 sources
In short
The Boise Bench is the raised terrace south and west of downtown. Most of it was built in the 1950s and 1960s, with smaller, more affordable homes than the North End and a quick drive to downtown, the airport and I-84. Typical home values range from about $402,000 in Vista to about $484,000 in the Depot Bench area (Zillow, Sept 2026). Plan for airport noise near the flight paths and busy roads such as Orchard, Overland and Vista.
Typical home
Vista about $402,000; Central Bench about $393,000; West Bench about $441,000; Depot Bench about $484,000 (Zillow, Sept 2026)
Homes
Mostly 1950s and 1960s ranch homes, plus duplexes and apartments
Schools
Borah High and South Junior High serve the Central Bench; Capital High serves the West Bench
Landmark
The Boise Depot sits high on the bench overlooking the Capitol and downtown
Watch for
Airport noise near flight paths; sidewalks are patchy
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What should I know about the Boise Bench at a glance?
Topic
What to know
Typical home value
Vista about $402,000; Central Bench about $393,000; West Bench about $441,000; Depot Bench about $484,000. All of Boise: about $500,000.
Homes
Many Central Bench neighborhoods were built in the 1950s and 1960s, with smaller and more affordable homes than in other parts of Boise. Duplexes and apartments are common along the main roads.
Schools
Borah High School and South Junior High are in the Central Bench area, with elementary schools such as Hillcrest, Monroe and Whitney. Capital High School and Morley Nelson, Mountain View and Valley View Elementary are in the West Bench. Your address decides your school, so check the district's locator.
Parks and trails
Owyhee, Bowden, Phillipi, Borah and Morris Hill parks and, in the West Bench, Fairmont, Milwaukee, Mountain View and West Moreland parks. The Greenbelt, Ann Morrison Park and Julia Davis Park are a short ride away.
Shopping and jobs
Older commercial strips along Orchard, Overland and Vista, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center is a major employer.
Getting around
I-84 forms the south and west edge, and bus service is the main public transit. The sidewalk network has gaps, and the main corridors are busy.
Airport
The Boise Airport sits just south of I-84, and parts of the Bench are under flight paths. Check the airport's noise exposure maps for an address.
Home values are Zillow's typical value for each neighborhood, updated monthly (Sept 2026). Housing, school, park and commute facts come from the City of Boise's neighborhood profiles (March 2020, using 2019 estimates and 2012 to 2016 Census data), so they are older than the prices. Source: Zillow Research and City of Boise Blueprint Boise
Best for: First-time buyers and renters who want a central location at a lower price
More
Some of the lowest home values in Boise
Central: quick drive to downtown, the airport and I-84
Larger lots than the North End
Jet and airport noise near the flight paths
Busy arterial roads such as Vista, Orchard and Overland
Quality varies a lot from street to street
Typical housing: 1940s to 1970s ranch homes, duplexes and apartments. Neighborhoods include Vista, Central Bench, West Bench and Depot Bench. Schools: Boise School District.
Prices change monthly. Use the table above for the current Zillow values for Vista, Central Bench, West Bench and Depot Bench. All are below the typical value for the North End.
Is the Bench noisy?
Parts of it are under airport flight paths and next to busy roads such as Orchard, Overland and Vista. Noise varies a lot by street.
Is the Bench close to downtown?
Yes. The Boise Depot sits on the bench edge overlooking the Capitol, and the Greenbelt and Julia Davis Park are a short bike ride from the northern part.
Is the Bench changing?
The city's 2018 planning document said older strip centers such as Vista Village and the Hillcrest Shopping Center were being renovated. Check the city's current projects for the street you are considering.
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