Median rent is 19% lower in Huntsville ($1,171/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Huntsville, where the median home runs $293,600 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $74,714 a year). Taken together, Huntsville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 88.1 against 89.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
Quick verdict
Huntsville is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 88.1 in Huntsville vs 89.4 in Boise City (US average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Huntsville, AL
How much would you need to earn in Huntsville, AL to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Huntsville, AL
$73,953
You could earn $1,047 less (1% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Boise City
Idaho
Huntsville
Alabama
👥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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Huntsville at $1,171/mo compared to $1,446/mo in Boise City (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $293,600 in Huntsville — 39% 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
Huntsville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Huntsville has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 36.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Pick Huntsville if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,171/mo median).
Pick Huntsville if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
Is Boise City cheaper than Huntsville?
Huntsville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 88.1 versus 89.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Huntsville.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Huntsville?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,171/mo in Huntsville, AL. Huntsville, AL has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Huntsville?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $74,714 in Huntsville, AL. 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?
Huntsville, AL has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Huntsville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Huntsville 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 $98,604 in Huntsville, AL (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
