Boise, ID

Boise, Idaho has never missed a ranking our our Top 100 Best Live list, not to mention numerous other Livability rankings. As the capital and most populous city in Idaho, Boise helps set the cultural tone of the state, offering residents and visitors a rich collection of amenities from parks and restaurants to museums and music venues. Boise State University drives the economy in Boise, along with top employers like Micron Technology, St. Luke’s Health System and Simplot. While most of the city lies on a broad, flat plain, a stretch of mountains to the northeast offers great neighborhoods as well as great hiking and camping opportunities.

Boise Rankings

The Best Hidden Bar in Every State
We scoured all 50 states to pinpoint the best secret bars and speakeasies. Here's where to find them — and how to get in.
10 Unexpectedly Awesome Coffee Cities
These emerging coffee scenes around the country are giving Portland and Seattle a run for their money.
Top 100 Best Places to Live
The results are in. Can you guess which city earned the #1 spot for 2019?

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Affordable Places To Live In Boise

Median Household Income

^$42,705

Median Home Value

^$64,542

Housing Affordability Index

350

Percent of Adult Population with 401(k)

13.50^%

Affordable Places to Live

The Cost of Living Diaries: Boise, ID
ID

Education & Career Opportunities In Boise

Unemployment Rate

2.50^%

Total Businesses

110

Percent of Population With Bachelor's Degree or Higher

21.10^%

Percent of Population in the Workforce

49.60^%

Food Scene in Boise

44.60^%

Percent of Adults Drank Beer in Last 6 Months

Restaurants per Capita

47.80

Percent of Adults who Dined Out

52.70^%

Average Annual Spending on Lunch Out

^$825.00

Food Scenes

Is Boise the Next Hotspot for Wine Lovers?

Love Where You Live In Boise

Volunteerism Rate

16.90^%

Adults Volunteered for Charitable Organization

Voting

50.30^%

Of Adults Voted in Last Election

Local Participation

8.30^%

Adults Served on a Local Committee

Diversity Index

66.80

Health in Boise

87.50^%

Of Population Has Health Insurance

8.70^%

Of Population Jogged in the Past Year

Hospitals per Capita

7.97

11.20^%

Of Households Used Organic Food in Last 6 Months

Healthy Places

Six Hospitals and 750 Doctors Keep Boise Well Covered

Where to Live Now In Boise

Average Mortgage Amount

^$497.08

Median Rent

^$265

70.90^%

Of Homes Owned

29.10^%

Of Homes Rented

Experiences & Adventures In Boise

2.50^%

Of Population Went to Art Gallery Last Year

6.50^%

Of Population Attended Live Theater Last Year

13.80^%

Of Population Went to a Zoo Last Year

15.90^%

Of Population Attended a Sporting Event Last Year