Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Boise and Springfield have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Idaho salaries · Massachusetts salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boise has a housing index of 118 while Springfield sits at 106 (national average = 100). The median home in Boise costs $420,000 compared to $230,000 in Springfield, a difference of $190,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Boise versus $1,200 in Springfield.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boise scores 99 while Springfield scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Boise (98) are lower than Springfield (114).
Median household income in Boise is $60,818 compared to $41,612 in Springfield. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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