Median rent is 9% lower in Salisbury ($1,318/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Salisbury, where the median home runs $227,300 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $58,576 a year). Taken together, Salisbury is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.3 against 89.4 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Salisbury, MD
How much would you need to earn in Salisbury, MD to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Salisbury, MD
$74,949
You could earn $51 less (0% 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
Salisbury
Maryland
👥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 Salisbury at $1,318/mo compared to $1,446/mo in Boise City (9% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $227,300 in Salisbury — 53% 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
Salisbury
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Boise City (avg AQI 36.0) but not yet for Salisbury.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Is Boise City cheaper than Salisbury?
Salisbury is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.3 versus 89.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Salisbury.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Salisbury?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $1,318/mo in Salisbury, MD. Salisbury, MD has the lower rent by about 9%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Salisbury?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $58,576 in Salisbury, MD. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Salisbury?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Salisbury 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 $99,932 in Salisbury, MD (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
