Median rent is 15% lower in Boise City ($1,446/mo vs $1,711/mo). Buying is cheaper in Atlanta, where the median home runs $439,600 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Atlanta ($85,652 vs $83,904 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 100.5 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
Cost of living verdict
Boise City is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 100.5 in Atlanta (US national average = 100)
City A
Atlanta, GA
City B
Boise City, ID
How much would you need to earn in Boise City, ID to maintain your standard of living from Atlanta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Boise City, ID
$66,695
You could earn $8,305 less (11% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Atlanta
Georgia
Boise City
Idaho
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Boise City at $1,446/mo compared to $1,711/mo in Atlanta (15% gap). Median home values are within 9% of each other: $439,600 in Atlanta and $484,800 in Boise City.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Atlanta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boise City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boise City has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.4 vs 100.5).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,446/mo median).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is Atlanta cheaper than Boise City?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Atlanta vs Boise City?
Median rent is $1,711/mo in Atlanta, GA and $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID. Boise City, ID has the lower rent by about 15%.
Which has higher salaries — Atlanta or Boise City?
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta, GA and $83,904 in Boise City, ID. Atlanta, GA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Boise City, ID has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Atlanta or Boise City?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Boise City to match my Atlanta income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Atlanta, GA is equivalent to roughly $88,926 in Boise City, ID (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
