Median Age
39 Years
Largest Age Group
25-34 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
18%
Avg Rent
$1,501
Population
252,850
Renter Mix
40% Rent
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.
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.
Median Household Income
$72,196
Average: $95,900
Education
92,921
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
138,301
Workers Employed
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.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
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.
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
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Boise, ID is for everyday living.
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Limited Public Transit
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Very Drivable
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Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
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† 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.