City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 197 in Atlanta, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 193, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,711 in Atlanta.
Safety is where Atlanta and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 124 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,711 in Atlanta and $1,446 in Boise.
This is a genuine split. Atlanta wins on the job market and Boise wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Boise has rougher pockets and Atlanta has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Atlanta and Boise are 1,832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,711 a month in Atlanta to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $265 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $85,652 in Atlanta to $83,904 in Boise, down $1,748 (2%).
The crime index goes from 197 in Atlanta to 73 in Boise, down 124 points (63%).
The move
Boise and Atlanta are 1,832 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,711 a month in Atlanta, up $265 a month (18%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $85,652 in Atlanta, up $1,748 (2%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 197 in Atlanta, up 124 points (170%).
Atlanta, GA
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 Atlanta and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
15% cheaper
Boise rent is 15% cheaper than Atlanta
Atlanta
$1,711/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,711 in Atlanta, so Boise is 15% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,180, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Boise still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Atlanta.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
2% higher
Atlanta's median income is 2% higher than Boise
Atlanta
Winner$85,652
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Atlanta (about $1,748 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
63% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 63% lower than Atlanta
Atlanta
197 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 197 in Atlanta (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% 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. Atlanta can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Atlanta and Boise are about even on typical weather.
Atlanta
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Atlanta averages about 61°F (70°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Atlanta averages around 61°F. Boise averages around 61°F. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Atlanta is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($85,652). Start with Atlanta if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 15% 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 63% lower than Atlanta (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 39/100 in Atlanta. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,711/month in Atlanta, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Atlanta still pays more locally ($85,652 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Atlanta rates.
Median income is $85,652 in Atlanta versus $83,904 in Boise.
Boise is ahead on safety (70/100 vs 39/100); Atlanta is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,711/month rent plus $85,652 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Atlanta and Boise, plus other cities in GA and ID.
