CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is moderately cheaper than Boise — 8.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $72,900 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing39.1%
Boise
105.6
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Boise
103.9
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.2%
Boise
94
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities+20.1%
Boise
70.7
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$72,900
$7,100 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9116. 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×

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
64.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Boise has 39.1% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

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

Montgomery, AL

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
199,518
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingEducation

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)

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.