City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
Safety is where Anaheim and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 70 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,175 in Anaheim and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Boise costs less and Anaheim pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Boise at $1,446 average has pockets that run $1,246 and others at $1,846: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Boise are 682 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $729 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $83,904 in Boise, down $11,323 (12%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 73 in Boise, down 70 points (49%).
The move
Boise and Anaheim are 682 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $729 a month (50%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $11,323 (13%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 143 in Anaheim, up 70 points (96%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Boise, ID
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Boise rent is 34% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Boise is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $729/month back in your pocket ($8,748/year). Over five years that's $43,740 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Boise is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
13% higher
Anaheim's median income is 13% higher than Boise
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 13% higher in Anaheim (about $11,323 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Boise can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
49% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 49% lower than Anaheim
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% lower in Boise. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Boise is the easier city. Anaheim can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Anaheim weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
Anaheim
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. Anaheim scores 12% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Boise if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 13% higher ($95,227), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Boise is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 34% cheaper here at about $1,446 a month. Choose Boise if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 49% lower than Anaheim (73 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Boise scores 70/100 versus 49/100 in Anaheim. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $2,175/month in Anaheim, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Anaheim still pays more locally ($95,227 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Anaheim rates.
Weather averages land near 76°F in Anaheim and 61°F in Boise.
Between Anaheim and Boise, Boise is ahead on safety — 70/100 safety versus 49/100. Lean Anaheim instead when you already know the Anaheim block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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