Boise, ID vs Long Beach, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boise
73.2
#766 nationally
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Long Beach leads in walk score (67 vs 38). Boise leads in school rating (7.8 vs 5.2). Boise leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boise, ID | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#766) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 237,963 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $507,649 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $82,500 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.8 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 142 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.3 | D+32.9 |
C
73.2 Score
Boise, ID
Mountain living meets urban opportunity
Median Home
$507,649
Population
237,963
Crime
Low
Schools
B+
West
View Boise, ID →
D-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →