Boise vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.3%, with Boise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Boise has equivalent purchasing power to $94,104 in Lakewood.
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 $94,104 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $59,774 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $574,000. The $154,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,008 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $63,008 respectively. Lakewood 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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