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Boise City, ID

Cost of living in Boise, Idaho

Ada County, ID

Part of the Boise City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,665/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 508,052 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,534 42%
Federal tax $563 15%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $331 9%
Transport $320 9%
State tax $215 6%
Energy $162 4%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Boise

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,300
per month
1 bedroom
$1,534
per month
2 bedroom
$1,838
per month
3 bedroom
$2,575
per month
4 bedroom
$3,080
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Boise

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$88,907
per year
Individual earnings
$44,472
per year
Per capita
$47,768
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Boise

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$476,000
Annual property tax
$2,643

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Boise

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$110
per month · 11.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$1,944
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Boise

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Boise

State and local tax rates for Idaho.

State income tax
5.8%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Boise

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.2 min
Drive alone
70.6%
Public transit
0.4%
Work from home
16.8%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Boise

What it costs to live in Boise each month.

Single person
$3,665
per month
  • Rent $1,534
  • Energy $162
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $331
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $563
  • State tax $215
Couple
$5,490
per month
  • Rent $1,838
  • Energy $194
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $549
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,125
  • State tax $430
Family
$8,360
per month
  • Rent $2,575
  • Energy $243
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $832
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,125
  • State tax $430

Frequently asked questions about Boise

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Boise?

In Boise, Idaho, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,534 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,838 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,575 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Boise?

In Boise, Idaho, the average household income is $88,907 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $44,472 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Boise?

The estimated cost of living in Boise, Idaho is approximately $3,665 per month for a single person, $5,490 for a couple, $8,360 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Boise?

The combined sales tax rate in Boise, Idaho is 6.03%, which includes the Idaho state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.03%.

Is Boise an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Boise, Idaho would need approximately $3,665 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $88,907 per year ($7,409 per month). Boise is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Boise?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Boise, Idaho is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Boise?

The average home value in Boise, Idaho is $476,000, with average annual property taxes of $2,643, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Boise compare to other areas?

You can compare Boise, Idaho with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Boise is in the Boise City, ID metro area.

Other counties in Idaho

Browse the full list of counties in Idaho, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Idaho

Compare Boise with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources