Median rent is 6% lower in Houston ($1,361/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Houston, where the median home runs $277,800 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $64,813 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 99.7 — about 10% 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 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 99.7 in Houston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Houston, TX
How much would you need to earn in Houston, TX to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Houston, TX
$83,713
You'd need $8,713 more (12% 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
Houston
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 rent is modestly lower in Houston at $1,361/mo compared to $1,446/mo in Boise City (6% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $277,800 in Houston — 43% 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
Houston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boise City has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 59.0 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 99.7).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is Boise City cheaper than Houston?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 99.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Houston?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,361/mo in Houston, TX. Houston, TX has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Houston?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $64,813 in Houston, 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?
Boise City, ID has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 59.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Houston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Houston 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 $111,617 in Houston, 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
