CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Tucson, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Tucson
96.9
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Tucson is slightly cheaper than Boise — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $78,800 in Tucson. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing13.1%
Boise
105.6
Tucson
91.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Tucson
96.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Boise
103.9
Tucson
104.8
🏥 Healthcare+0.9%
Boise
94
Tucson
94.8
Utilities+26.6%
Boise
70.7
Tucson
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tucson, AZ
$78,800
$1,200 less needed in Tucson

Formula: salary × (96.9 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9848. 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×

Tucson, AZ

Median Home Price
$338,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
91.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.1×

Boise has 13.1% lower housing costs compared to Tucson.

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

Tucson, AZ

Median Household Income
$69,800
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
542,629
Top Industries
MilitaryEducationHealthcareTourismManufacturing

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)

Tucson, AZ
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.