Question 1

Is Boise or Seattle cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Boise, ID is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $821/month less than in Seattle, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,655/mo in Boise versus $2,501/mo in Seattle.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boise vs Seattle?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $73,500/year before tax in Boise, ID and $86,000/year in Seattle, WA — a difference of about $12,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boise or Seattle 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 $12,749/month in Seattle, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boise or Seattle?

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	Seattle59
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,970	$4,791
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,850	$12,749
Salary for comfort	$73,500/yr	$86,000/yr
Typical rent	$1,655	$2,501
Median home value	$456,000	$912,100
Median household income	$81,308	$121,984
Unemployment	3.3%	4.7%
Housing score	46	34
Jobs score	76	35
Safety score	78	40
Climate score	100	92
Amenities score	39	90
Population	235.7K	741.4K
Summer high / winter low	91° / 25°	76° / 37°

Boise, ID vs Seattle, WA