City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 167 in Chicago, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 139, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Chicago and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 94 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $1,446 in Boise.
Boise is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Chicago makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Boise is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Boise has rougher pockets and Chicago has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Chicago and Boise are 1,447 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $6 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $83,904 in Boise, up $6,002 (8%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 73 in Boise, down 94 points (56%).
The move
Boise and Chicago are 1,447 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $6 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $77,902 in Chicago, down $6,002 (7%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 167 in Chicago, up 94 points (129%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Chicago rent is 1% cheaper than Boise
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $1,446 in Boise, so Chicago is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $6, or $72 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
8% higher
Boise's median income is 8% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Boise (about $6,002 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
56% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 56% lower than Chicago
Chicago
167 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 167 in Chicago (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 56% 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. Chicago can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
35% more comfortable
Boise weather is 35% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Boise
Winner61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boise averages around 61°F. Boise scores 35% 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 Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Chicago
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 8% higher ($83,904), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 56% lower than Chicago (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 44/100 in Chicago. Typical rent is the same $1,446/month in both cities, so you are choosing streets and blocks, not a cheaper lease.
Median income is $83,904 in Boise versus $77,902 in Chicago — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Between Chicago and Boise, Boise is ahead on safety — 70/100 safety versus 44/100. Lean Chicago instead when you already know the Chicago block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Weather averages land near 53°F in Chicago and 61°F in Boise.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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