Boise, ID vs San Jose, 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
San Jose
63
#1807 nationally
Boise leads in cost of living index (104 vs 198). San Jose leads in median household income ($142,891 vs $82,500). Boise leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boise, ID | San Jose, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#766) | 63 (#1807) |
| Population | 237,963 | 983,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $507,649 | $1,391,204 |
| Median Household Income | $82,500 | $142,891 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Low | Moderate |
| School Rating | 7.8 | 7.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 198 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.3 | D+40.0 |
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
63 Score
San Jose, CA
Capital of Silicon Valley
Median Home
$1,391,204
Population
983,489
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Pacific
View San Jose, CA →