Boise vs Tyler
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Tyler
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.7%, with Tyler being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Boise has equivalent purchasing power to $60,142 in Tyler.
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 $60,142 in Tyler.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $93,529 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Tyler
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $250,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 93 in Tyler. 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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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