Scottsdale vs Boise City: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Scottsdale, AZ and Boise City, ID, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Boise City, ID |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 240,537 | 234,192 |
| Median household income | $104,197 | $76,402 |
| Median home value | $651,800 | $401,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,768 | $1,223 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Scottsdale, AZ and Boise City, ID comes down to what you value most. Boise City has the lower median home value, and Boise City has the lower median rent.
Scottsdale has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Scottsdale or Boise City?
- By median home value, Boise City is the cheaper of the two ($401,800 vs $651,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Scottsdale or Boise City?
- Median household income is $104,197 in Scottsdale versus $76,402 in Boise City, per the US Census Bureau.