Boise vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Yuma
The Verdict
Living in Yuma costs 15.2% less than Boise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boise, you would need $65,094 in Yuma.
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 $65,094 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $86,413 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $284,000. The $136,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,844 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $408 in Yuma. 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 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $58,804 respectively. Yuma 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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