Boise vs College Station
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
College Station
The Verdict
College Station is 21.8% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $61,557 in College Station to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $61,557 in College Station.
Conversely, $75,000 in College Station equals $91,379 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs College Station
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher College Station's 82, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $314,000. The $106,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,888 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,075/mo in College Station, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 93 in College Station. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $442/month in College Station. College Station offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 96 in College Station. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $384 in College Station. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 90 in College Station. 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 $50,900 in College Station. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $58,506 respectively. College Station 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 $1,188/month in College Station. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In College Station, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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