City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Oklahoma City and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 110 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,130 in Oklahoma City and $1,446 in Boise.
This is a genuine split. Oklahoma City wins on cost of living and Boise wins on the job market 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Boise are 1,140 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $316 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $83,904 in Boise, up $15,248 (22%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 73 in Boise, down 110 points (60%).
The move
Boise and Oklahoma City are 1,140 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $316 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $15,248 (18%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 110 points (151%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 22% cheaper than Boise
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,446 in Boise, so Oklahoma City is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $316/month back in your pocket ($3,792/year). Over five years that's $18,960 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 Boise, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Oklahoma City 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
22% higher
Boise's median income is 22% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Boise (about $15,248 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, Boise is the stronger labor market on paper. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
60% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 60% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 60% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Oklahoma City and Boise are about even on typical weather.
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Oklahoma City 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 22% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City 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 and professional growth
Boise is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 22% higher here ($83,904). Start with Boise if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boise is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 60% lower than Oklahoma City (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 42/100 in Oklahoma City, with typical rent at $1,446 versus $1,130. I would vet the exact ZIP in Oklahoma City before trading 28 safety points for housing savings.
Boise still pays more locally ($83,904 median income vs $68,656), which can offset the lease if your field pays Boise rates.
Median income is $83,904 in Boise versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City.
If safety drives your move, Boise is the stronger match (70/100 safety versus 42/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Oklahoma City, treat $1,130/month rent and $68,656 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and Boise, plus other cities in OK and ID.
