Boise vs Hollywood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Hollywood
The Verdict
Living in Boise costs 4.5% less than Hollywood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $78,538 in Hollywood.
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 $78,538 in Hollywood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hollywood equals $71,622 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Hollywood
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is lower Hollywood's 130, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $424,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,725/mo in Hollywood, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 104 in Hollywood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $494/month in Hollywood. 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 96 in Hollywood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $384 in Hollywood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 96 in Hollywood. 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 $60,300 in Hollywood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $54,324 respectively. Boise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,407/month in Hollywood. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Hollywood, median rent of $1,725/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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