City comparison
Yes. Plano's crime index is 62 versus 73 in Boise, and its violent crime index is 43 versus 85, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,841 in Plano.
The income gap between Plano and Boise is significant: $112,253 median household versus $83,904. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,841 in Plano and $1,446 in Boise.
Plano is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Boise makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Plano is the stronger move.
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
Plano and Boise are 1,281 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,841 a month in Plano to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $395 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $112,253 in Plano to $83,904 in Boise, down $28,349 (25%).
The crime index goes from 62 in Plano to 73 in Boise, up 11 points (18%).
The move
Boise and Plano are 1,281 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,841 a month in Plano, up $395 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $112,253 in Plano, up $28,349 (34%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 62 in Plano, down 11 points (15%).
Plano, TX
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 Plano and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Boise rent is 21% cheaper than Plano
Plano
$1,841/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,841 in Plano, so Boise is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $395/month back in your pocket ($4,740/year). Over five years that's $23,700 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 Plano, 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 Plano? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
34% higher
Plano's median income is 34% higher than Boise
Plano
Winner$112,253
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $112,253 in Plano versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 34% higher in Plano (about $28,349 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, Plano 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
15% lower crime
Plano's crime index is 15% lower than Boise
Plano
Winner62 (100 = avg)
Boise
73 (100 = avg)
Plano's crime index is 62 versus 73 in Boise (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% lower in Plano. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Plano, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Boise. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Plano weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
Plano
Winner69°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Plano averages about 69°F (77°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Plano sits near 69°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. Plano 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 34% higher ($112,253), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 69°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Plano is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 15% lower than Boise (62 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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Boise
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.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Plano at $112,253 median income versus $83,904 in Boise. Housing ($1,446 in Boise, $1,841 in Plano) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Plano still pays more locally ($112,253 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Plano rates.
Safety scores read 75/100 in Plano and 70/100 in Boise.
If local pay drives your move, Plano is the stronger match ($112,253 median income against $83,904). If an employer or family tie already points to Boise, treat $1,446/month rent and $83,904 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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