Median rent is 25% lower in Boise City ($1,446/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boise City, where the median home runs $484,800 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 114.7 — about 22% 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 22% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$96,315
You'd need $21,315 more (28% 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
Los Angeles
California
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Boise City — median rent of $1,446/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $484,800 in Boise City — 47% more expensive.
Metric
Boise City
Los Angeles
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
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles 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 114.7).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,446/mo median).
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 22% lower in Boise City.
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Boise City, ID has the lower rent by about 25%.
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Boise City, ID has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA 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 $128,421 in Los Angeles, CA (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
