Median rent is 33% lower in Springfield ($964/mo vs $1,446/mo). Buying is cheaper in Springfield, where the median home runs $177,700 versus $484,800. Households earn more in Boise City ($83,904 vs $49,311 a year). Taken together, Boise City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 90.1 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Boise City, ID.
Quick verdict
Boise City is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 89.4 in Boise City vs 90.1 in Springfield (US average = 100)
City A
Boise City, ID
City B
Springfield, MO
How much would you need to earn in Springfield, MO to maintain your standard of living from Boise City, ID?
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$75,619
You'd need $619 more (1% higher).
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
Springfield
Missouri
👥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 Springfield — median rent of $964/mo versus $1,446/mo in Boise City, a 33% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boise City: the median home is $484,800 versus $177,700 in Springfield — 63% 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
Springfield
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boise City has cleaner air on average: 36.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Boise City if you prioritize higher median household income ($83,904/yr).
Pick Springfield if you prioritize cheaper rent ($964/mo median).
Is Boise City cheaper than Springfield?
Boise City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 90.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Boise City.
How much is rent in Boise City vs Springfield?
Median rent is $1,446/mo in Boise City, ID and $964/mo in Springfield, MO. Springfield, MO has the lower rent by about 33%.
Which has higher salaries — Boise City or Springfield?
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise City, ID and $49,311 in Springfield, MO. 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?
Boise City, ID has better air quality on average: 36.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boise City or Springfield?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Springfield 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 $100,825 in Springfield, MO (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
