Boise, ID vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | BoiseBoise, ID | SeattleSeattle, WA | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Average | Good | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | Safe | High Risk | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Good | |
| Sovereignty | Moderate | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Defensible | High Risk |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
At 834 property crimes per 100,000 people, Boise, ID records a rate that Seattle, WA’s 4,424 exceeds by 5.3×, placing Boise in the 25th percentile and Seattle in the 98th for this 2025 FBI measure. In the same data year, violent crime in Boise stands at 279 per 100,000 versus 697 in Seattle, a 2.5× gap, with the two cities’ five-year trends both falling. Job growth over the past year was +2.1% in Boise and -0.4% in Seattle, a 2.5-point spread, while unemployment sits at 3.2% in Boise and 4.2% in Seattle. The average commute in Boise is 19.1 minutes, 8 minutes shorter than Seattle’s 26.6 minutes, per 2023 Census figures.
Geographic positioning separates the pair sharply. Boise’s nearest large city is 668 miles away, placing it in the 80th percentile, whereas Seattle sits 1 mile from its nearest large city, in the 1st percentile. Distance to the international border is 373 miles for Boise versus 95 miles for Seattle, a 3.9× difference, and Boise’s 396 miles to the coastline contrasts with Seattle’s 0 miles. The strategic location grade is B- for Boise and F for Seattle, while target proximity grades are F and D+, respectively.
Cost-of-living figures from 2023 show the cost of living index at 135 for Boise and 233 for Seattle, with median home values of $456,000 and $912,100. Median rent is $1,359 in Boise and $1,998 in Seattle, while median household income is $81,308 versus $121,984. Per-capita income is $48,274 in Boise and $82,508 in Seattle. Population density is 2,738 per square mile in Boise and 8,824 in Seattle, and 46.6% of Boise adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher compared with 67.5% in Seattle.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
Looking at homes in Boise or Seattle?
Get a property report for a specific address.
Free account required. Your first report is free.
Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 13570th pctl | 23394th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Boise, ID 135; Seattle, WA 233; Seattle is 73% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $456,00078th pctl | $912,10095th pctl | Median home value: Boise, ID $456,000; Seattle, WA $912,100; Seattle is 2.0 times higher. |
| Median rent | $1,35961st pctl | $1,99891st pctl | Median rent: Boise, ID $1,359; Seattle, WA $1,998; Seattle is 47% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $81,30861st pctl | $121,98489th pctl | Median household income: Boise, ID $81,308; Seattle, WA $121,984; Seattle is 50% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $88,59380th pctl | $164,14695th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Boise, ID $88,593; Seattle, WA $164,146; Seattle is 85% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $130,23180th pctl | $241,29595th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Boise, ID $130,231; Seattle, WA $241,295; Seattle is 85% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Unaffordable | About the same |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Seattle needs about
$129,400
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 135 vs 233). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.2%29th pctl | 4.2%74th pctl | Unemployment: Boise, ID 3.2%; Seattle, WA 4.2%; Seattle is 1.0 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +2.1%78th pctl | -0.4%13th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Boise, ID +2.1%; Seattle, WA -0.4%; Boise is 2.5 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $48,27475th pctl | $82,50894th pctl | Per-capita income: Boise, ID $48,274; Seattle, WA $82,508; Seattle is 71% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 10.6%45th pctl | 9.9%41st pctl | About the same |
| CommuteAverage commute | 19.1 min20th pctl | 26.6 min71st pctl | Average commute: Boise, ID 19.1 min; Seattle, WA 26.6 min; Seattle is 8 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 15.8%72nd pctl | 31.3%96th pctl | Work from home: Boise, ID 15.8%; Seattle, WA 31.3%; Seattle is 15.5 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Strong | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Stable | Job market: Boise, ID A+; Seattle, WA B-; Boise is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 27959th pctl | 69793rd pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Boise, ID 279; Seattle, WA 697; Seattle is 2.5 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 83425th pctl | 4,42498th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Boise, ID 834; Seattle, WA 4,424; Seattle is 5.3 times higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Safe | Dangerous | Crime & safety: Boise, ID B+; Seattle, WA F; Boise is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Fair | Clean | Tap water: Boise, ID C+; Seattle, WA A+; Seattle is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Workable | Prime | Homesteading potential: Boise, ID B; Seattle, WA A+; Seattle is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Seattle, WA; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ModerateState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | noneState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | highState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | A-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | D+State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | C-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 668 mi80th pctl | 1 mi1st pctl | Nearest large city: Boise, ID 668 mi; Seattle, WA 1 mi; Boise is 667 mi higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Poor | Target proximity: Boise, ID F; Seattle, WA D+; Seattle is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 373 mi56th pctl | 95 mi9th pctl | Distance to international border: Boise, ID 373 mi; Seattle, WA 95 mi; Boise is 3.9 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 396 mi62nd pctl | 0 mi0th pctl | Distance to coastline: Boise, ID 396 mi; Seattle, WA 0 mi; Boise is higher (Seattle: 0 mi). |
| StrategicStrategic location | Defensible | High Risk | Strategic location: Boise, ID B-; Seattle, WA F; Boise is graded higher. |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,70196th pctl | 741,44099th pctl | Population: Boise, ID 235,701; Seattle, WA 741,440; Seattle is 3.1 times larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 2,73874th pctl | 8,82497th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Boise, ID 2,738; Seattle, WA 8,824; Seattle is 3.2 times higher. |
| Median age | 38.252nd pctl | 35.529th pctl | Median age: Boise, ID 38.2; Seattle, WA 35.5; Boise is 2.7 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 46.6%75th pctl | 67.5%93rd pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Boise, ID 46.6%; Seattle, WA 67.5%; Seattle is 20.9 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.331st pctl | 26th pctl | Average household size: Boise, ID 2.3; Seattle, WA 2; Boise is 13% larger. |
More about Boise's residents · Seattle's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Boise and Seattle
- Median rent: $1,359 in Boise, $1,998 in Seattle
- Median home value: $456,000 in Boise, $912,100 in Seattle
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 135 in Boise, 233 in Seattle
- Median household income: $81,308 in Boise, $121,984 in Seattle
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $130,231 in Boise, $241,295 in Seattle
- Unemployment: 3.2% in Boise, 4.2% in Seattle
- Average commute: 19.1 min in Boise, 26.6 min in Seattle
- Violent crime per 100k: 279 in Boise, 697 in Seattle
Weigh these by what matters to you
ReloMaps in ChatGPT can look at Boise and Seattle against your own priorities, like budget, commute or climate.
Use ReloMaps in ChatGPT →Found a home in Boise or Seattle?
A property report covers the address itself: the block, the neighbourhood data, risks and more, beyond these city-wide figures.
Free account required. Your first report is free.
Compare a different pair
People also compare
More places like Boise and Seattle
- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
ReloMaps may earn a commission from affiliate links at no extra cost to you.