CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Boise, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Boise is moderately cheaper than Baltimore — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $75,300 in Boise. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing10.7%
Baltimore
118.2
Boise
105.6
🛒 Groceries6.1%
Baltimore
102.4
Boise
96.2
🚗 Transportation2.5%
Baltimore
106.6
Boise
103.9
🏥 Healthcare2.5%
Baltimore
96.4
Boise
94
Utilities35.8%
Baltimore
110.2
Boise
70.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Baltimore to see what you'd need to earn in Boise to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boise, ID
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Boise

Formula: salary × (98.4 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9416. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Baltimore has 10.7% lower housing costs compared to Boise.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.