Boise vs Ithaca
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Ithaca
The Verdict
Ithaca is 12.8% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $66,509 in Ithaca 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 $66,509 in Ithaca.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ithaca equals $84,574 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Ithaca
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Ithaca's 117, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $324,000. The $96,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,240 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,475/mo in Ithaca, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 103 in Ithaca. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $489/month in Ithaca. 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 102 in Ithaca. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $408 in Ithaca. 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 99 in Ithaca. 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 Ithaca. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $51,702 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 $1,134/month in Ithaca. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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