City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Safety is where Raleigh and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 69 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Boise costs less and Raleigh 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 crime gap is citywide. Boise has rougher pockets and Raleigh has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Raleigh and Boise are 2,050 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $126 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $83,904 in Boise, down $1,491 (2%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 73 in Boise, down 69 points (49%).
The move
Boise and Raleigh are 2,050 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $126 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $1,491 (2%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 142 in Raleigh, up 69 points (95%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Boise rent is 8% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Boise is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $126, or $1,512 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
2% higher
Raleigh's median income is 2% higher than Boise
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Raleigh (about $1,491 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
49% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 49% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% 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. Raleigh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
25% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 25% more comfortable than Boise
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Boise
54°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 69/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Boise averages about 54°F (62°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Boise averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh scores 25% 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 2% higher ($85,395), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°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 8% 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 49% lower than Raleigh (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 49/100 in Raleigh. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,572/month in Raleigh, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (70/100 in Boise vs 49/100 in Raleigh), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $1,446 in Boise and $1,572 in Raleigh.
Boise is ahead on safety (70/100 vs 49/100); Raleigh is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,572/month rent plus $85,395 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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