State overview · ID
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Idaho? Real data for 1 city, updated June 2026.
| City | Salary needed | Housing / mo | Median salary | Salary gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $106,212 | $1,655 | $49,100 | $57,112 |
Cost of Living in Idaho
Boise requires an annual income of $106,280 to cover basic living costs, running above the national median of $97,658 by roughly $8,600. That gap matters, because the median local salary sits at just $47,580, leaving a shortfall of about $58,700 for a typical worker. Someone earning that local median would need to nearly double their income to meet estimated living expenses. These figures reflect Boise alone and should not be read as a statewide picture for Idaho.
CityWage currently tracks one city in Idaho: Boise. The table below breaks down that city's housing costs, required income, and local salary data in full.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cost of living in Boise, ID?
You need about $106,212 per year to live comfortably in Boise, based on the 50/30/20 budget rule applied to BLS and HUD data.
Does the median salary in Boise cover the cost of living?
Not on its own. The median local salary of $49,100 falls about $57,112 short of the $106,212 needed to live comfortably.
Is Boise above or below the national average?
Boise runs above the national median. It needs $106,212 per year versus the national figure of $97,559.