Question 1

Is Boise or Scottsdale cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Boise, ID is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $496/month less than in Scottsdale, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,655/mo in Boise versus $1,910/mo in Scottsdale.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boise vs Scottsdale?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $73,500/year before tax in Boise, ID and $81,500/year in Scottsdale, AZ — a difference of about $8,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boise or Scottsdale 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 $11,073/month in Scottsdale, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boise or Scottsdale?

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	Scottsdale63
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,970	$4,466
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,850	$11,073
Salary for comfort	$73,500/yr	$81,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,655	$1,910
Median home value	$456,000	$709,900
Median household income	$81,308	$107,372
Unemployment	3.3%	4.6%
Housing score	46	46
Jobs score	76	27
Safety score	78	76
Climate score	100	76
Amenities score	39	73
Population	235.7K	242.2K
Summer high / winter low	91° / 25°	104° / 43°

Boise, ID vs Scottsdale, AZ