Median rent is 7% lower in Boise City ($1,446/mo vs $1,563/mo). Buying is cheaper in Las Vegas, where the median home runs $427,900 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $73,877 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 98.3 — about 9% 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 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 98.3 in Las Vegas (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Las Vegas, NV
How much would you need to earn in Las Vegas, NV to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Las Vegas, NV
$82,497
You'd need $7,497 more (10% 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
Las Vegas
Nevada
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 $1,563/mo in Las Vegas (7% gap). Median home values are within 12% of each other: $484,800 in Boise City and $427,900 in Las Vegas.
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
Las Vegas
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Boise City averages 36.0 AQI (Good) and Las Vegas averages 36.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.4 vs 98.3).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Is Boise City cheaper than Las Vegas?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Las Vegas?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,563/mo in Las Vegas, NV. Boise City, ID has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Las Vegas?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $73,877 in Las Vegas, NV. 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?
Las Vegas, NV has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 36.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Las Vegas?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Las Vegas 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 $109,996 in Las Vegas, NV (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
