Boise vs Brownsville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Brownsville
The Verdict
Living in Brownsville costs 41.3% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $53,066 in Brownsville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boise has the same purchasing power as $53,066 in Brownsville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Brownsville equals $106,000 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Brownsville
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Brownsville's 58, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $155,000. The $265,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,220 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $875/mo in Brownsville, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 87 in Brownsville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $413/month in Brownsville. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 79 in Brownsville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $316 in Brownsville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 92 in Brownsville. 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 $60,818 in Boise and $52,100 in Brownsville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $69,467 respectively. Brownsville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,216/month in Brownsville. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Brownsville, median rent of $875/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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