Portland, OR vs Boise, ID: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Boise, ID is 6.7% less expensive than Portland, OR (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Portland works out to about $70,000 in Boise, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 15.6% less in Boise. Goods are 8.6% lower and other services 1.2% lower.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 33.9% lower in Boise.
- Typical asking rent is $1,924 a month in Boise and $1,803 in Portland, $1,452 a year more in Boise (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $492,000 in Boise and $539,000 in Portland.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Boise was 10.1% less expensive than Portland.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 15.6% lower in Boise than in Portland
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
All items Portland, OR: 105.4 Boise, ID: 98.4
Goods Portland, OR: 105.2 Boise, ID: 96.2
Housing (rents) Portland, OR: 125.1 Boise, ID: 105.6
Utilities Portland, OR: 107.0 Boise, ID: 70.7
Other services Portland, OR: 100.1 Boise, ID: 99.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 98.4 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 105.6 |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 70.7 |
| Other services | 100.1 | 99.0 |
| Category | Portland | Boise | Boise vs Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 98.4 | −6.7% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 96.2 | −8.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 105.6 | −15.6% |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 70.7 | −33.9% |
| Other services | 100.1 | 99.0 | −1.2% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,803 | $1,924 | +6.7% |
| Typical home value | $539,000 | $492,000 | −8.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Portland | $75,000 | $70,000 | −6.7% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Portland and Boise has widened since 2008: 3.5 points then, 7.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 | 95.3 |
| 2009 | 102.3 | 97.7 |
| 2010 | 101.6 | 95.5 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 97.0 |
| 2012 | 104.3 | 96.7 |
| 2013 | 103.0 | 96.4 |
| 2014 | 102.1 | 95.9 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 94.9 |
| 2016 | 101.5 | 93.2 |
| 2017 | 103.8 | 95.9 |
| 2018 | 107.3 | 93.6 |
| 2019 | 106.4 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 105.8 | 93.6 |
| 2021 | 105.4 | 93.8 |
| 2022 | 108.8 | 94.2 |
| 2023 | 106.7 | 94.2 |
| 2024 | 105.4 | 98.4 |
Goods
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.5 | 95.1 |
| 2009 | 102.2 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 100.3 | 97.9 |
| 2011 | 100.7 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 102.0 | 99.4 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 97.8 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 96.6 |
| 2015 | 98.4 | 96.4 |
| 2016 | 100.3 | 93.3 |
| 2017 | 100.1 | 98.7 |
| 2018 | 104.6 | 96.0 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 98.8 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 95.3 |
| 2021 | 106.5 | 96.4 |
| 2022 | 109.2 | 95.9 |
| 2023 | 104.8 | 95.8 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.5 | 93.1 |
| 2009 | 114.0 | 88.1 |
| 2010 | 112.9 | 83.9 |
| 2011 | 113.4 | 82.4 |
| 2012 | 116.9 | 81.2 |
| 2013 | 116.1 | 86.5 |
| 2014 | 118.4 | 84.5 |
| 2015 | 123.1 | 80.2 |
| 2016 | 123.9 | 79.6 |
| 2017 | 129.7 | 82.2 |
| 2018 | 132.1 | 86.8 |
| 2019 | 131.2 | 91.3 |
| 2020 | 129.3 | 88.3 |
| 2021 | 127.8 | 97.3 |
| 2022 | 128.4 | 102.4 |
| 2023 | 124.8 | 98.2 |
| 2024 | 125.1 | 105.6 |
Utilities
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.4 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 94.2 | 74.6 |
| 2010 | 87.3 | 78.9 |
| 2011 | 93.7 | 78.8 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 83.2 |
| 2013 | 90.6 | 82.9 |
| 2014 | 97.5 | 85.4 |
| 2015 | 105.0 | 86.9 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 83.5 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 78.1 |
| 2018 | 92.4 | 73.5 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 74.6 |
| 2020 | 95.8 | 75.1 |
| 2021 | 97.4 | 68.0 |
| 2022 | 91.5 | 66.4 |
| 2023 | 90.9 | 68.0 |
| 2024 | 107.0 | 70.7 |
Other services
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.1 | 98.3 |
| 2009 | 99.4 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 99.8 |
| 2011 | 99.8 | 103.0 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 101.9 |
| 2013 | 102.5 | 100.4 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 100.7 |
| 2015 | 102.1 | 100.0 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 99.0 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 100.1 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 95.5 |
| 2019 | 101.7 | 96.4 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 91.9 |
| 2022 | 104.3 | 91.7 |
| 2023 | 103.9 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 100.1 | 99.0 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,924 in Boise vs $1,803 in Portland
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,124 | $886 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,169 | $911 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,211 | $924 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,209 | $917 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,232 | $942 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,269 | $973 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,277 | $987 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,267 | $979 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,299 | $1,006 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,330 | $1,048 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,335 | $1,067 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,316 | $1,058 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,328 | $1,091 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,362 | $1,135 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,370 | $1,155 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,363 | $1,152 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,380 | $1,182 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,407 | $1,223 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,423 | $1,235 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,410 | $1,233 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,425 | $1,260 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,428 | $1,274 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,454 | $1,325 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,434 | $1,372 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,463 | $1,448 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,540 | $1,583 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,599 | $1,635 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,608 | $1,613 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,633 | $1,651 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,700 | $1,729 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,729 | $1,730 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,703 | $1,668 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,722 | $1,696 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,724 | $1,717 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,719 | $1,701 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,686 | $1,669 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,711 | $1,707 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,757 | $1,745 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,767 | $1,748 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,741 | $1,718 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,752 | $1,743 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,781 | $1,787 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,783 | $1,788 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,757 | $1,770 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,767 | $1,814 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,789 | $1,870 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,803 | $1,924 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $492,000 in Boise vs $539,000 in Portland
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Portland, OR
- Boise, ID
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Boise, ID | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $292K | $190K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $299K | $195K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $309K | $198K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $321K | $202K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $333K | $207K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $345K | $213K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $352K | $217K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $360K | $222K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $370K | $228K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $377K | $234K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $381K | $238K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $384K | $245K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $392K | $253K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $397K | $263K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $399K | $274K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $400K | $283K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $404K | $292K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $406K | $298K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $406K | $304K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $411K | $314K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $421K | $326K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $424K | $335K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $430K | $346K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $451K | $376K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $473K | $423K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $497K | $474K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $510K | $493K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $521K | $499K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $546K | $515K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $568K | $532K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $554K | $514K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $541K | $486K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $531K | $466K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $536K | $463K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $542K | $470K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $542K | $474K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $543K | $477K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $545K | $482K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $546K | $484K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $550K | $486K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $550K | $487K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $543K | $484K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $540K | $484K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $544K | $490K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $543K | $490K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $538K | $486K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $539K | $492K | $366K |
More about each city
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.