Median rent is 21% lower in Boise City ($1,359/mo vs $1,714/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boise City, where the median home runs $456,000 versus $485,000. Households earn more in Meridian ($98,686 vs $81,308 a year).
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Meridian, ID
How much would you need to earn in Meridian, ID to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
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
Meridian
Idaho
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Boise City — median rent of $1,359/mo versus $1,714/mo in Meridian, a 21% difference. Median home values are within 6% of each other: $456,000 in Boise City and $485,000 in Meridian.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Idaho's top income tax rate is 5.80% versus 5.80% in Idaho, so Meridian is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Idaho and 6.00% in Idaho; Meridian has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Boise City
Income tax: 5.80%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Meridian
Income tax: 5.80%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Boise City (avg AQI 24.0) but not yet for Meridian.
Pick Meridian if you prioritize higher median household income ($98,686/yr).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,359/mo median).
Is Boise City cheaper than Meridian?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Meridian?
Median rent is $1,359/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,714/mo in Meridian, ID. Boise City, ID has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Meridian?
Median household income is $81,308 in Boise City, ID and $98,686 in Meridian, ID. Meridian, 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 Meridian?
Idaho's top income tax rate is 5.80% and Idaho's is 5.80%. Meridian, ID has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Meridian to match my Boise City income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology