Alexandria vs Boise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Boise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 36.8%, with Boise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $54,828 in Boise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $54,828 in Boise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Boise equals $102,594 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Boise
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Boise's 118, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $420,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,400/mo in Boise, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 99 in Boise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $470/month in Boise. Boise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 89 in Boise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $356 in Boise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 98 in Boise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $60,818 in Boise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $57,375 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,419/month in Boise. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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