Boise vs Juneau
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Juneau
The Verdict
Living in Boise costs 16.5% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $89,858 in Juneau.
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 $89,858 in Juneau.
Conversely, $75,000 in Juneau equals $62,598 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Juneau
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is lower Juneau's 131, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $524,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 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 Juneau, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 123 in Juneau. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $584/month in Juneau. Boise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1368/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 140 in Juneau. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $560 in Juneau. 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 151 in Juneau. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 53-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $105,000 in Juneau. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $82,677 respectively. Juneau 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 $2,450/month in Juneau. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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