City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 212 in San Antonio, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 164, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
San Antonio is cheaper. Median rent is $1,324 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where San Antonio and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 139 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,324 in San Antonio and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. San Antonio costs less and Boise 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 San Antonio has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
San Antonio and Boise are 1,383 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $122 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $83,904 in Boise, up $18,848 (29%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 73 in Boise, down 139 points (66%).
The move
Boise and San Antonio are 1,383 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, down $122 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $65,056 in San Antonio, down $18,848 (22%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 212 in San Antonio, up 139 points (190%).
San Antonio, 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 San Antonio and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
San Antonio rent is 8% cheaper than Boise
San Antonio
Winner$1,324/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,324 a month in San Antonio versus $1,446 in Boise, so San Antonio is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $122, or $1,464 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 San Antonio? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
29% higher
Boise's median income is 29% higher than San Antonio
San Antonio
$65,056
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $65,056 in San Antonio, so typical pay runs 29% higher in Boise (about $18,848 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. San Antonio can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
66% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 66% lower than San Antonio
San Antonio
212 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 212 in San Antonio (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 66% 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. San Antonio can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
San Antonio weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
San Antonio
Winner72°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
San Antonio averages about 72°F (82°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). San Antonio sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. San Antonio 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
San Antonio is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% cheaper here at about $1,324 a month. Choose San Antonio if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick San Antonio if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (72°F) beat Boise on this page's weather index by 12%. Boise may pay more or cost less, but San Antonio is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 29% 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 66% lower than San Antonio (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 37/100 in San Antonio. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,324/month in San Antonio, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
San Antonio rent at $1,324/month is still below Boise's $1,446, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 72°F in San Antonio and 61°F in Boise.
Between San Antonio and Boise, Boise is ahead on safety — 70/100 safety versus 37/100. Lean San Antonio instead when you already know the San Antonio block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Antonio and Boise, plus other cities in TX and ID.
