Median rent is 24% lower in Boise City ($1,446/mo vs $1,914/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boise City, where the median home runs $484,800 versus $584,800. Households earn more in Riverside ($91,045 vs $83,904 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 107.3 — about 17% 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 17% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 107.3 in Riverside (US national average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Riverside, CA
How much would you need to earn in Riverside, CA to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$90,098
You'd need $15,098 more (20% 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
Riverside
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 $1,914/mo in Riverside, a 24% difference. Median home values are within 17% of each other: $484,800 in Boise City and $584,800 in Riverside.
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
Riverside
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boise City has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 65.0 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 107.3).
Pick Riverside if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,045/yr).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,446/mo median).
Pick Boise City if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 36.0).
Is Boise City cheaper than Riverside?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 107.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 17% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Riverside?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,914/mo in Riverside, CA. Boise City, ID has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Riverside?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $91,045 in Riverside, CA. Riverside, CA 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 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Riverside?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Riverside 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 $120,130 in Riverside, CA (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
