City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
Safety is where Denver and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 198 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,831 in Denver and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Boise costs less and Denver 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
Denver and Boise are 637 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $385 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $83,904 in Boise, down $10,814 (11%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 73 in Boise, down 198 points (73%).
The move
Boise and Denver are 637 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $385 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $94,718 in Denver, up $10,814 (13%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 271 in Denver, up 198 points (271%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Boise rent is 21% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,831 in Denver, so Boise is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $385/month back in your pocket ($4,620/year). Over five years that's $23,100 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 Denver, 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
Denver's median income is 13% higher than Boise
Denver
Winner$94,718
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 13% higher in Denver (about $10,814 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, Denver 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
73% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 73% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 73% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
Denver weather is 3% more comfortable than Boise
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Boise averages around 61°F. Denver scores 3% 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 ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°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 21% 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 73% lower than Denver (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Boise: Boise scores 70/100 versus 30/100 in Denver, with typical rent at $1,446 versus $1,831. I would vet the exact ZIP in Denver before trading 40 safety points for housing savings.
Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $83,904 in Boise.
Pick Boise when you want the stronger safety signal (70/100). Otherwise, Denver's case rests on a Denver ZIP you trust at $1,831 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Boise, plus other cities in CO and ID.
