City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 181 in Sacramento, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 213, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
Safety is where Sacramento and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 108 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,779 in Sacramento and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Boise costs less and Sacramento 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
Sacramento and Boise are 443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $333 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $83,904 in Boise, down $3,417 (4%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 73 in Boise, down 108 points (60%).
The move
Boise and Sacramento are 443 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $333 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $3,417 (4%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 181 in Sacramento, up 108 points (148%).
Sacramento, CA
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 Sacramento and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
Boise rent is 19% cheaper than Sacramento
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Boise is 19% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,996, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Boise still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Sacramento.
Planning to buy in Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Sacramento's median income is 4% higher than Boise
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Sacramento (about $3,417 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
60% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 60% lower than Sacramento
Sacramento
181 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 181 in Sacramento (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. Sacramento can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Sacramento weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
Sacramento
Winner71°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Sacramento averages about 71°F (83°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Sacramento sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. Sacramento 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 4% higher ($87,321), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°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 19% 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 60% lower than Sacramento (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 42/100 in Sacramento. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,779/month in Sacramento, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Sacramento still pays more locally ($87,321 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Sacramento rates.
Weather averages land near 71°F in Sacramento and 61°F in Boise.
Boise is ahead on safety (70/100 vs 42/100); Sacramento is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,779/month rent plus $87,321 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
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