Median rent is 4% lower in Boise City ($1,446/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $79,507 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 Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Fort Worth, TX
How much would you need to earn in Fort Worth, TX to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$86,026
You'd need $11,026 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
Fort Worth
Texas
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 $1,509/mo in Fort Worth. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 38% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Boise City (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.4 vs 102.5).
Is Boise City cheaper than Fort Worth?
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.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Fort Worth?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX. Boise City, ID has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX. Boise City, ID 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Fort Worth?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fort Worth to match my Boise City income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boise City, ID is equivalent to roughly $114,701 in Fort Worth, TX (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
