CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Columbia, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Columbia
89.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Columbia is moderately cheaper than Boise — 9.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $72,700 in Columbia. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.5%
Boise
105.6
Columbia
69.2
🛒 Groceries2.1%
Boise
96.2
Columbia
94.2
🚗 Transportation6.0%
Boise
103.9
Columbia
97.7
🏥 Healthcare6.0%
Boise
94
Columbia
88.4
Utilities+21.6%
Boise
70.7
Columbia
86

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbia, MO
$72,700
$7,300 less needed in Columbia

Formula: salary × (89.4 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9085. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

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

Columbia, MO

Median Home Price
$308,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
69.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0×

Boise has 34.5% lower housing costs compared to Columbia.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

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

Columbia, MO

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
126,254
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Columbia, MO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.