Los Angeles vs Boise

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: California salaries · Idaho salaries

Living in Los Angeles vs Boise

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Los Angeles has a housing index of 262 while Boise sits at 118 (national average = 100). The median home in Los Angeles costs $850,000 compared to $420,000 in Boise, a difference of $430,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,700 in Los Angeles versus $1,400 in Boise.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Los Angeles scores 107 while Boise scores 99.

Healthcare costs in Los Angeles (103) are higher than Boise (98). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Los Angeles is $65,290 compared to $60,818 in Boise. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Boise.

Relocating: Los Angeles vs Boise

If you are considering a move between Los Angeles (index: 166) and Boise (index: 106), the 36% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Boise is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Los Angeles can afford $1,523/month, while the median household in Boise can afford $1,419/month. With median homes at $850,000 in Los Angeles versus $420,000 in Boise, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $2,700/month in Los Angeles and $1,400/month in Boise, renters save significantly in Boise. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes significantly further in Boise. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Los Angeles (166) vs Boise (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Los Angeles at 166 is 66% above the US average, while Boise at 106 is 6% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

The 60-point spread between Los Angeles (166) and Boise (106) is large enough to reshape a household budget entirely, especially for single-income families. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Los Angeles scores 262 and Boise scores 118. That 144-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Boise with indices of 118 versus 262. Median home prices of $850,000 in Los Angeles and $420,000 in Boise underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $2,700/month in Los Angeles and $1,400/month in Boise, the annual rent difference is approximately $15,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $78,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $430,000 difference in median home prices between Los Angeles and Boise translates to roughly $25,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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