City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 156 in Tucson, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 146, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,446 in Boise.
Safety is where Tucson and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 83 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,145 in Tucson and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Tucson 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Tucson at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tucson and Boise are 838 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $1,446 a month in Boise, up $301 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $83,904 in Boise, up $26,831 (47%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 73 in Boise, down 83 points (53%).
The move
Boise and Tucson are 838 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $301 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $57,073 in Tucson, down $26,831 (32%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 156 in Tucson, up 83 points (114%).
Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Tucson rent is 21% cheaper than Boise
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Boise
$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $1,446 in Boise, so Tucson is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $301/month back in your pocket ($3,612/year). Over five years that's $18,060 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, Tucson is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Tucson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
47% higher
Boise's median income is 47% higher than Tucson
Tucson
$57,073
Boise
Winner$83,904
Median household income is $83,904 in Boise versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 47% higher in Boise (about $26,831 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. Tucson can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
53% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 53% lower than Tucson
Tucson
156 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 156 in Tucson (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 53% 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. Tucson can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Tucson weather is 12% more comfortable than Boise
Tucson
Winner77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Boise
61°F avg · 70°F highs · comfort 89/100
Tucson averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Boise averages about 61°F (70°F highs). Tucson sits near 77°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Boise averages around 61°F. Tucson 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
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Tucson if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Tucson if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (77°F) beat Boise on this page's weather index by 12%. Boise may pay more or cost less, but Tucson 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 47% 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 53% lower than Tucson (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 46/100 in Tucson. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,145/month in Tucson, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Tucson rent at $1,145/month is still below Boise's $1,446, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,145 in Tucson and $1,446 in Boise.
Boise is ahead on safety (70/100 vs 46/100); Tucson is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,145/month rent plus $57,073 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tucson and Boise, plus other cities in AZ and ID.
