Boise vs Ann Arbor — side-by-side
Cost of living: Boise vs Ann Arbor (2026)
A $67,000 salary in Boise buys roughly what $67,000 does in Ann Arbor (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$924/yr
Favoring Boise for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $77/mo in Boise, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Boise Idaho | Ann Arbor Michigan | Who wins | Your impact at $67K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300Better | $1,400 | Boise wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Boise |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,600Better | $1,750 | Boise wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Boise |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,000Wins | $2,300 | Boise wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Boise |
| Median home price | $410K | $400KBetter | Ann Arbor wins −$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 101 | Boise wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $14 | Boise wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $58 | Boise wins +$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $65 | Boise wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Boise |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.20Better | Ann Arbor wins −$0.20 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $130Better | $145 | Boise wins +$15/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $145Better | $162 | Boise wins +$17/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $63 | Boise wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62K | $72KWins | Ann Arbor wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8% | 4.1%Wins | Ann Arbor wins -1.7 pp | $1,139/yr saves in Ann Arbor |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Better | 6.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Boise wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $42 | Boise wins +$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.50 | Boise wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 105Better | 105 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 55Wins | Ann Arbor wins +27 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,140/yr tax difference into cash back
Boise fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Boise.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Boise vs Ann Arbor?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Boise is $1,600/month and in Ann Arbor is $1,750/month. Boise is cheaper by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Ann Arbor to match a $75,000 salary in Boise?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Ann Arbor to match a $75,000 salary in Boise. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Boise or Ann Arbor?
Ann Arbor has the lower state income tax rate at 4.1% vs 5.8%. The difference is 1.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Boise to Ann Arbor?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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