Cost of Living in Boise, ID
| Cost of Living in Boise, ID | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 29% higher | 8% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 16% lower |
| Food | 6% higher | 4% higher |
| Healthcare | 3% higher | 2% higher |
| Transportation | 0% | 11% higher |
| Goods & Services | 10% higher | 6% higher |
The cost of living in Boise, ID is 12% higher than the state average and 5% higher than the national average. Boise, ID housing is 8% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 16% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% pricier in Boise, ID than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 2% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% pricier in Boise, ID.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Boise is $1,670, while home prices circle around $521,704.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Boise, energy bills cost around $154.20 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.91 in Boise, a dozen eggs go for around $4.44 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.57.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Boise, an optometry check-up costs around $152.62, while a dentist appointment is priced $97.00 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.60 in Boise, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $75.93.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $41.19 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $48.05.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Boise, you should budget around $11.60 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $27.88, while dry cleaning costs about $18.87.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Boise, the median household income is $84,350.