Question 1

Is Boise or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Boise, ID is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $1,359/month less than in Los Angeles, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,655/mo in Boise versus $2,903/mo in Los Angeles.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boise vs Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $73,500/year before tax in Boise, ID and $105,000/year in Los Angeles, CA — a difference of about $31,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boise or Los Angeles cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Boise, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,850/month in Boise and $12,135/month in Los Angeles, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boise or Los Angeles?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Boise costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Boise74	Los Angeles49
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,970	$5,329
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,850	$12,135
Salary for comfort	$73,500/yr	$105,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,655	$2,903
Median home value	$456,000	$879,500
Median household income	$81,308	$80,366
Unemployment	3.3%	5.3%
Housing score	46	1
Jobs score	76	20
Safety score	78	47
Climate score	100	100
Amenities score	39	100
Population	235.7K	3.9M
Summer high / winter low	91° / 25°	83° / 48°

Boise, ID vs Los Angeles, CA