City comparison
No. Boise's crime index is 73 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 85 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Boise is cheaper. Median rent is $1,446 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
Safety is where Washington and Boise split most clearly. Boise scores 150 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,954 in Washington and $1,446 in Boise.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Boise costs less and Washington 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
Washington and Boise are 2,041 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,446 a month in Boise, down $508 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $83,904 in Boise, down $25,966 (24%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 73 in Boise, down 150 points (67%).
The move
Boise and Washington are 2,041 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,446 a month in Boise to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $508 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $83,904 in Boise to $109,870 in Washington, up $25,966 (31%).
The crime index goes from 73 in Boise to 223 in Washington, up 150 points (205%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Boise rent is 26% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Boise
Winner$1,446/mo
Typical rent runs $1,446 a month in Boise versus $1,954 in Washington, so Boise is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $508/month back in your pocket ($6,096/year). Over five years that's $30,480 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 Washington, 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 Boise? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
31% higher
Washington's median income is 31% higher than Boise
Washington
Winner$109,870
Boise
$83,904
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $83,904 in Boise, so typical pay runs 31% higher in Washington (about $25,966 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, Washington 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
67% lower crime
Boise's crime index is 67% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Boise
Winner73 (100 = avg)
Boise's crime index is 73 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Washington weather is 9% more comfortable than Boise
Washington
Winner56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
Boise
54°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 69/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); Boise averages about 54°F (62°F highs). Washington averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Boise averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Washington scores 9% 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 31% higher ($109,870), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°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 26% 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 67% lower than Washington (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 36/100 in Washington. Rent is $1,446/month in Boise and $1,954/month in Washington, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Washington still pays more locally ($109,870 median income vs $83,904), which can offset the lease if your field pays Washington rates.
Median income is $109,870 in Washington versus $83,904 in Boise.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Boise; Washington only makes sense when you have walked the Washington ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,954 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and Boise, plus other cities in DC and ID.
