Boise

The annual Spirit of Boise balloon festival draws in thousands of people from all over Idaho.
The annual Spirit of Boise balloon festival draws in thousands of people from all over Idaho.
Winding streets and hillside views in Quail Ridge in the Foothills.
Enjoy endless trails for hiking, running, and biking throughout the Boise area.

Boise, ID Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,501

Population

252,850

Renter Mix

40% Rent

Breathtaking views await in the hills of Idaho’s state capital

Bike-Friendly Affordable College Town Airport Mountains

Nestled in the Treasure Valley, Boise combines city living with outdoor adventure. Idaho's capital city features a thriving downtown alongside the Boise River Greenbelt, which winds through the city for 25 miles. The nearby Boise Foothills offer extensive hiking and biking trails. The housing market includes historic North End bungalows and downtown condominiums, with current rental rates averaging $1,455 for a one-bedroom apartment showing a 2.4% annual increase. Notable areas include the Hyde Park district with its historic charm, the tree-lined East End, and Southeast Boise near Boise State University.

The "City of Trees" features numerous parks and green spaces, including the 89-acre Julia Davis Park, which houses Zoo Boise and the Boise Art Museum. The city's cultural scene includes the seasonal Idaho Shakespeare Festival and performances at the restored Egyptian Theatre. The historic Basque Block preserves and celebrates one of North America's largest Basque communities. The local economy centers on technology, with Micron Technology among the major employers, along with government and agricultural sectors. Residents enjoy easy access to Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area for winter sports and year-round activities, while the Boise River provides opportunities for fishing and summer floating. With a population of 235,684, Boise offers metropolitan amenities while maintaining its distinctive character.

Explore the City

The annual Spirit of Boise balloon festival draws in thousands of people from all over Idaho.

Winding streets and hillside views in Quail Ridge in the Foothills.

Enjoy endless trails for hiking, running, and biking throughout the Boise area.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$72,196

Average: $95,900

Education

92,921

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

138,301

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

39 Years

Largest Age Group

25-34 Years

Approximately 15% of Residents

Under 20

22%

Over 65

18%

Housing Distribution

Boise has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
40%
Non-Renters
60%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
31%
Other Education
69%

Rent Trends

As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Boise, ID is $1,336 for a studio, $1,502 for one bedroom, $1,692 for two bedrooms, and $1,823 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Boise has increased by 1.3% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,502/month
673 Sq Ft
House
$2,541/month
1,575 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,788/month
793 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,300/month
1,373 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Boise, ID

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Boise, ID is 3.2% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Boise is 5.5% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,336 - $1,823. You can expect to pay 2.6% more for groceries, 27.2% less for utilities, and 6.8% more for transportation.

Compare Cities

$

Getting Around

Moderately Walkable

Walkability

60 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

30 / 100

Very Drivable

Drivability

80 / 100

Moderately Bikeable

Bikeability

70 / 100

Schools

Summerwind Math & Science

Public

Grades PK-5

372 Students

Adams Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

272 Students

Collister Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

261 Students

Eliza Hart Spalding STEM Academy

Public

Grades PK-5

678 Students

Pioneer School of the Arts

Public

Grades PK-5

667 Students

Lowell Scott Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

802 Students

North Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

876 Students

Les Bois Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-8

705 Students

Sage International Charter School

Public

Grades K-12

1,008 Students

Lake Hazel Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,065 Students

Timberline High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,398 Students

Centennial High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,931 Students

Boise Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,588 Students

Borah Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,289 Students

Sage International Charter School

Public

Grades K-12

1,008 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Bowden Park
  • Platt Gardens
  • Ann Morrison Park
  • Kathryn Albertson Park
  • Boise River Greenbelt

Airports

  • Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field

Top Apartments in Boise

Houses for Rent in Boise

Property Management Companies in Boise, ID

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.