Boise vs Evansville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Evansville
The Verdict
Living in Evansville costs 32.5% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $56,604 in Evansville.
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 $56,604 in Evansville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Evansville equals $99,375 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Evansville
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Evansville's 55, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $170,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $850/mo in Evansville, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 95 in Evansville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $451/month in Evansville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 105 in Evansville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $420 in Evansville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 105 in Evansville. 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 $48,600 in Evansville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $60,750 respectively. Evansville 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 $1,134/month in Evansville. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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