Boise, ID vs Spokane, WA
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | BoiseBoise, ID | SpokaneSpokane, WA | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | Same | ||
| Affluence | Average | Average | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | Safe | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Great | |
| Sovereignty | Moderate | Self-Reliant | |
| Strategic | Defensible | Exposed |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
834 property crimes per 100,000 people in Boise, ID compare with 4,363 in Spokane, WA, a 5.2× difference that places Boise in the 25th percentile and Spokane in the 98th percentile for this metric in 2025 FBI data. Traffic deaths per 100,000 are 11 in Boise versus 34 in Spokane, a 3.2× gap, and violent crime per 100,000 stands at 279 in Boise compared to 606 in Spokane, a 2.2× difference. Unemployment rates from 2023 Census figures show Boise at 3.2% (29th percentile) and Spokane at 4.4% (81st percentile), while job growth over the past year was +2.1% in Boise (78th percentile) and +0.7% in Spokane (38th percentile).
The cost of living index (100 = US average) is 135 in Boise and 161 in Spokane, with Spokane 19% higher, placing Boise in the 70th percentile and Spokane in the 82nd percentile. Median home values differ substantially at $456,000 in Boise (78th percentile) versus $326,200 in Spokane (59th percentile), a 40% higher figure for Boise. Median household income is $81,308 in Boise (61st percentile) and $65,745 in Spokane (39th percentile), a 24% difference. The air quality index (AQI) is 44 in Boise (59th percentile) and 38 in Spokane (26th percentile), with Boise 16% higher, though both cities earn an A+ grade for air quality. Distance to an international border is 373 miles from Boise (56th percentile) and 92 miles from Spokane (8th percentile), a 4.1× difference.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 13570th pctl | 16182nd pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Boise, ID 135; Spokane, WA 161; Spokane is 19% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $456,00078th pctl | $326,20059th pctl | Median home value: Boise, ID $456,000; Spokane, WA $326,200; Boise is 40% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,35961st pctl | $1,14144th pctl | Median rent: Boise, ID $1,359; Spokane, WA $1,141; Boise is 19% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $81,30861st pctl | $65,74539th pctl | Median household income: Boise, ID $81,308; Spokane, WA $65,745; Boise is 24% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $88,59380th pctl | $63,37560th pctl | Comfortable income (single): Boise, ID $88,593; Spokane, WA $63,375; Boise is 40% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $130,23180th pctl | $93,16160th pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Boise, ID $130,231; Spokane, WA $93,161; Boise is 40% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Stretched | Housing affordability: Boise, ID C-; Spokane, WA B-; Spokane is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in Spokane needs about
$89,400
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 135 vs 161). 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 | Spokane, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.2%29th pctl | 4.4%81st pctl | Unemployment: Boise, ID 3.2%; Spokane, WA 4.4%; Spokane is 1.2 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | +2.1%78th pctl | +0.7%38th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Boise, ID +2.1%; Spokane, WA +0.7%; Boise is 1.4 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $48,27475th pctl | $38,20051st pctl | Per-capita income: Boise, ID $48,274; Spokane, WA $38,200; Boise is 26% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 10.6%45th pctl | 14.6%64th pctl | Poverty rate: Boise, ID 10.6%; Spokane, WA 14.6%; Spokane is 4.0 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 19.1 min20th pctl | 21.2 min35th pctl | Average commute: Boise, ID 19.1 min; Spokane, WA 21.2 min; Spokane is 2 minutes longer. |
| Work from home | 15.8%72nd pctl | 13.8%66th pctl | Work from home: Boise, ID 15.8%; Spokane, WA 13.8%; Boise is 2.0 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | Economic opportunity: Boise, ID C+; Spokane, WA C-; Boise is graded higher. |
| Job market | Strong | Stable | Job market: Boise, ID A+; Spokane, WA B-; Boise is graded higher. |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 27959th pctl | 60690th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Boise, ID 279; Spokane, WA 606; Spokane is 2.2 times higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 83425th pctl | 4,36398th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Boise, ID 834; Spokane, WA 4,363; Spokane is 5.2 times higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Safe | Dangerous | Crime & safety: Boise, ID B+; Spokane, WA D; Boise is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | Very SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | DangerousCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Boise, ID A-; Spokane, WA F; Boise is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, 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+; Spokane, WA A+; Spokane 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 | About the same |
| 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 Spokane, 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 | Spokane, 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 | Spokane, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 668 mi80th pctl | 942 mi86th pctl | Nearest large city: Boise, ID 668 mi; Spokane, WA 942 mi; Spokane is 41% higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Poor | Target proximity: Boise, ID F; Spokane, WA D-; Spokane is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 373 mi56th pctl | 92 mi8th pctl | Distance to international border: Boise, ID 373 mi; Spokane, WA 92 mi; Boise is 4.1 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 396 mi62nd pctl | 228 mi46th pctl | Distance to coastline: Boise, ID 396 mi; Spokane, WA 228 mi; Boise is 74% higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Defensible | Exposed | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Boise, ID | Spokane, WA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,70196th pctl | 229,22896th pctl | About the same |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 2,73874th pctl | 3,33481st pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Boise, ID 2,738; Spokane, WA 3,334; Spokane is 22% higher. |
| Median age | 38.252nd pctl | 37.243rd pctl | About the same |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 46.6%75th pctl | 32.6%51st pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Boise, ID 46.6%; Spokane, WA 32.6%; Boise is 14.0 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.331st pctl | 2.331st pctl | About the same |
More about Boise's residents · Spokane'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 Spokane
- Median rent: $1,359 in Boise, $1,141 in Spokane
- Median home value: $456,000 in Boise, $326,200 in Spokane
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 135 in Boise, 161 in Spokane
- Median household income: $81,308 in Boise, $65,745 in Spokane
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $130,231 in Boise, $93,161 in Spokane
- Unemployment: 3.2% in Boise, 4.4% in Spokane
- Average commute: 19.1 min in Boise, 21.2 min in Spokane
- Violent crime per 100k: 279 in Boise, 606 in Spokane
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- 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.
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