Median rent is 0% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 102.5 — about 13% 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 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$86,022
You'd need $11,022 more (15% higher).
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
Boise City
Idaho
Chicago
Illinois
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,446/mo in Boise City and $1,440/mo in Chicago. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 31% more expensive.
Metric
Boise City
Chicago
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boise City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 36.0 AQI (Good) 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 102.5).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Boise City.
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 0%.
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $77,902 in Chicago, IL. Boise City, ID has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boise City, ID is equivalent to roughly $114,697 in Chicago, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
