Question 1

Is Boise or Portland cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Boise, ID is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $471/month less than in Portland, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,655/mo in Boise versus $1,922/mo in Portland.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boise vs Portland?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $73,500/year before tax in Boise, ID and $89,000/year in Portland, OR — a difference of about $15,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boise or Portland 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 $10,916/month in Portland, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boise or Portland?

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	Portland59
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,970	$4,441
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,850	$10,916
Salary for comfort	$73,500/yr	$89,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,655	$1,922
Median home value	$456,000	$557,600
Median household income	$81,308	$88,792
Unemployment	3.3%	5.2%
Housing score	46	36
Jobs score	76	30
Safety score	78	53
Climate score	100	93
Amenities score	39	79
Population	235.7K	642.7K
Summer high / winter low	91° / 25°	81° / 36°

Boise, ID vs Portland, OR