Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Boise City, ID

    Is Boise City a good place to live?

    Watch Boise City

    Boise City ranks #11 of 14 Idaho cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (38/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.6% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $456,000
    +13.5% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,359
    per month
    Household income
    $81,308
    median
    Unemployment
    3.8%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Boise City

    The median home value in Boise City is $456,000 and median rent is $1,359 a month, against a median household income of $81,308. Homes cost about 5.6× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Boise City crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Idaho the 2025 rate was 221 violent and 624 property crimes per 100,000 people — #50 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Boise City, ID

    Boise City has about 235,701 residents, 3.8% unemployment and 29% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Boise City with

    Boise City vs MeridianBoise City vs NampaBoise City vs Idaho FallsBoise City vs CaldwellBoise City vs PocatelloBoise City vs Coeur d'AleneBoise City vs Twin FallsBoise City vs Post Falls

    More: Where to move in Idaho · Best counties in Idaho

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report