Boise vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 34.2% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $55,896 in Montgomery 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 $55,896 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $100,633 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $162,000. The $258,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,776 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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