Boise vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Vienna
The Verdict
Vienna is 20.5% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $62,264 in Vienna 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 $62,264 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $90,341 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $395,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $792/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Boise and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $54,545 respectively. Boise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,120/month in Vienna. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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