Cost of Living in Boise Idaho: Is It Really Cheaper than California?

If you're thinking about moving from California to Boise, Idaho, you are not alone.
Over the past few years, more and more people have been leaving California in search of a more affordable, relaxed lifestyle, and Boise is at the top of that list. But here's the big question that I hear all the time: Is Boise really that much cheaper than California? And today, in this video, I'm breaking it all down for you—from housing prices to daily expenses—so you can decide if making the move is the right choice for you.

Hey, everyone, I'm Curtis Chism, a local real estate expert here in the Boise, Idaho, area, and I actually moved here from California myself. So I know exactly what you're going through, and I'm gonna help you weigh all the pros and cons about leaving the Golden State. I specialize in helping people relocate to Boise, especially those coming from California. By the end of this video, you'll have a clear picture of just how much you could save by moving to Boise and why so many people are making the jump.

So let's go ahead and dive in. Let's start with the biggest difference, and for most people, it's the deal-breaker or deal-maker: the cost of housing. This is where you'll see the most dramatic savings when moving to Boise. Here in Boise, the median home price is right around $600,000, but depending on the neighborhood, you could find homes as low as $450,000 or less in areas like Nampa or Caldwell, while more popular suburbs like Meridian or Eagle might push closer to $700,000 and up.

Even the most expensive homes in the Boise area, like Harris Ranch or the Highlands, are still a lot cheaper than what you're gonna find for comparable upscale areas in California. Compare that to a place like Los Angeles, where the median home price is over $1.3 million, and in areas like San Francisco, over $1.5 million. In suburban areas like San Diego County or Orange County, prices are well over a million dollars.

In Boise, your dollar really does stretch a lot further. You can buy a home with more space, bigger backyards, and modern designs—all for a fraction of what you’d pay for the same type of home in California. For example, you could get a 3,000-square-foot home on a half-acre lot in Star, Idaho, for around $800,000, while in Los Angeles, that same home, if you get a half-acre, is going to be over $2 million in areas like Burbank or Pasadena.

If you're looking into new construction homes, which I specialize in, you'll find even more incentives from builders, like covering your closing costs, offering lower interest rates through rate buy-downs, or including free upgrades like premium appliances or backyard landscaping. These incentives can save you thousands compared to buying a resale home or trying to build a custom home, especially in California, where construction costs are significantly higher.

Builders in Boise are offering major incentives right now to compete with the resale market, and this is something I can help you navigate to get you the best deal possible. Now, not everyone is ready to buy right now, and that's totally okay. Renting could be the first thing you do when you move here to Boise; it's a great way to get a feel for the area before making a home purchase.

When it comes to renting, you'll notice a big difference in prices between Boise and California. Let’s take a look at one of the most popular types of rentals: a four-bedroom single-family home in the suburbs. In Meridian, one of Boise's fastest-growing suburbs, the average rent for a four-bedroom house is currently around $2,500 to $3,000 per month, depending on the exact home size, location, and amenities.

Now let's compare that to an area like San Diego, where I'm from. For a four-bedroom house in a suburban neighborhood like Poway or Chula Vista, you're looking at a monthly rent of easily $4,500 to $5,500, or even more if you’re in a highly desirable area or closer to the coast. That's a $2,000 or more difference in rent each month just for living in a similar suburban area in Boise compared to San Diego. Over the course of a year, that's a savings of $24,000 to $30,000—money you could use for other things, like saving for a down payment on a home or simply enjoying life more.

There are wonderful family activities here in the Boise area. And another thing to consider: the rental market in Boise, including suburbs like Meridian, tends to be less competitive than in California's coastal cities. While demand has grown as more people move to Idaho, it's still much easier to find a well-priced rental in Boise without engaging in bidding wars or offering above the asking price, which is something many renters in California are all too familiar with.

Whether you're renting while you search for the perfect home or just testing the waters before committing to a purchase here in Boise, you’ll find that renting in Boise, especially in family-friendly suburbs like Meridian, is far more affordable and less stressful than renting in Southern California.

Next, let’s talk about property taxes and utilities, two things that can have a big impact on your monthly budget but are often overlooked when you're planning to move. Idaho has some of the lowest property taxes in the country, averaging around 0.7% of your home's assessed value. In contrast, California property taxes, thanks to Prop 13, are based on 1% of the purchase price, and in most areas, they’re actually closer to 1.2% or even higher due to local taxes and bond measures.

So, what does that mean for your pocketbook? Let’s break it down. If you buy a home in Boise for $600,000, your property taxes would be around $4,200 a year. In California, on a $1.3 million home, typical in LA and San Diego, your property tax bill at 1.2% would be over $15,000 a year—that’s nearly four times as much. Idaho also offers a Homestead Exemption: if you live in your primary residence, you get a tax break on the first $125,000 of your home’s assessed value, significantly lowering your taxable amount.

So if you're buying a home in Boise and it's your main residence, you'll be paying even less in property taxes compared to what you pay in California. Now, when it comes to utilities, Idaho is also more affordable. Let me give you a breakdown of what I personally pay for utilities in my 2,700-square-foot two-story home.

On average, my electric bill is about $150 to $160. My peak electric bill was $277 in the summer, and I have a hot tub, an infrared sauna, a wine fridge, and two deep freezers. We run our AC 24/7 in the summer. In the summer, my gas bill is just $20, and in the winter, it's about $100. Now, I recently received a notice that my gas prices would be going down, which was a great surprise.

When it comes to water, sewer, and trash, my bill averages about $180 every two months. Broken down to monthly, it's about $70 per month for water and sewer, about $40 for trash. For outdoor irrigation, I pay $160 a year, which is unlimited water for my outdoor landscaping needs—something incredibly affordable compared to California. Now, if you're a big gardener and enjoy having a lush yard, that's a major benefit.

For my internet, my current plan costs $95 a month, but I am switching to TDS Fiber soon to lower my bills to about $35 for the base plan. Now, let's look at groceries and everyday expenses. This is another area where you'll find Boise to be more affordable. The cost of groceries in Boise is about 10 to 15% lower than in most major California cities. This might not seem like a whole lot, but when you add up the difference over the course of a year, those savings really start to stack up.

For example, in Boise, a gallon of milk costs around $3, while in California, you're looking at about $5 or $6 for the same thing. A loaf of bread in Boise is about $2.50, whereas in California, it's about $4. Let's take a look at your weekly grocery bill. In Boise, for a family of four, you could spend around $150 to $200 a week, while in places like San Francisco or LA, you're looking at about $250 or more for the same groceries.

Not only are groceries cheaper, but Boise has an amazing farmers' market scene where you can get fresh local produce at even lower prices. Plus, dining out is more affordable here. In Boise, you can have a great meal at a nice restaurant for about $15 to $20 per person, plus tip. While in places like San Diego or LA, you're likely looking at $30 to $50 for that same experience.

Now, let's talk about transportation, which can be another major expense, especially if you're coming from a place like California, where gas prices are high and traffic is just a part of daily life. In Boise, gas prices are currently around $3.80 to $4 per gallon. In California, of course, they're much higher—you’re likely looking at between $5 to $6 per gallon.

Over time, those savings at the pump really add up, especially if you have a longer commute or travel often for work. While Boise doesn't have the extreme traffic you're used to in California, traffic can be an issue at certain times and on certain roads. If you're commuting on major routes like I-84, especially coming from the suburbs into Boise, or you're hitting Eagle Road or Meridian Road during rush hour, expect congestion. A commute that could take 25 minutes without traffic might be about 40 to 45 minutes during peak hours.

It's not just the highways; some of the country roads in Eagle, Star, and Nampa can get jammed up at stop signs or roundabouts, especially during rush hours or when there's construction going on. Still, even with these occasional slowdowns, commuting in Boise is generally less stressful and more predictable than in major California cities, where spending an hour or more in traffic is part of daily life. Boise's traffic might slow you down a bit, but it's usually much more manageable.

If you prefer public transportation, Boise has Valley Ride, which services the Greater Treasure Valley. While it's not as extensive a public transit system as in California, many people find it more convenient to drive here. There’s plenty of free parking and shorter distances.

Healthcare is another big consideration when moving from California to Idaho, especially for families. In general, healthcare costs in Idaho are lower than in California. This includes both insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. For example, the average health insurance premium for a family in Idaho is around $1,000 a month, depending on your plan, while in California, premiums for similar coverage can easily exceed $1,500 to $2,000 per month. The cost of visiting a doctor, prescriptions, and even emergency room visits is typically lower in Idaho.

Idaho's healthcare system, especially in Boise, is highly rated, with several top hospitals and medical providers throughout the area, like St. Luke's Health System and St. Alphonse's Health System, both of which serve the Boise area.

For outdoor activities, there are many that cost you nothing. You can spend a day hiking in the Boise foothills, floating the Boise River, or mountain biking at Campbell’s Back Park, all for free. If you're a skier or snowboarder, Bogus Basin, just 16 miles from downtown Boise, offers lift tickets for around $70 to $80, compared to $150 or more in California resort areas.

Boise also has a growing arts and entertainment scene with concerts, festivals, and events happening year-round. A ticket to a concert in Boise's Outlaw Field might cost you $40 to $60, while a similar show in California could easily run $100 or more. Your entertainment budget tends to go a lot further here, which means more fun without breaking the bank.

For those with kids, education and childcare are always top of mind. Boise offers excellent schools and childcare options, often at a fraction of the cost compared to California. In California, full-time daycare can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 per month, whereas in Boise, those costs are generally around 20 to 30% lower, with most full-time daycare options around $1,000 to $1,500 per month.

If you're thinking about schools, the Boise area has some top-rated public schools in the state, particularly in neighborhoods like Eagle and the West Ada School District. For families considering private schools, private school tuition is typically lower in Boise than in California, making it a more affordable option.

Homeschooling is also popular in Boise. The city has a strong homeschooling community with many resources available for families who want a more hands-on approach to education. There are several homeschool co-ops in the area that provide social activities, group learning experiences, and extracurricular activities like sports and arts programs. Idaho's homeschooling laws are flexible, allowing parents the freedom to choose their own curriculum and teach at their own pace.

One of the biggest things I hear from people moving from California to Boise is how refreshing the slower pace of life is here, though it can take some getting used to. In California, everything moves fast—the traffic, the work, the cost of living—while Boise offers a chance to slow down, with fewer financial pressures. With lower costs and less stress, many families find a better quality of life here. You can save money, enjoy the lifestyle, and have access to great amenities, activities, and entertainment options.

So, is Boise really cheaper than California? In my opinion, it absolutely is. From groceries, transportation, healthcare, to entertainment, your dollar just goes a lot further here in Boise. But it's not just about the numbers; it's about the lifestyle you'll enjoy here. If you're considering moving, I'd love to help you find the perfect home and neighborhood and make your transition as smooth as possible.

Whether you're looking at new construction or resale homes, I've got the expertise to help you navigate Boise's real estate market and get the best deal possible. If you're ready to explore your options or have any questions, reach out to me. You can call, text, or email me—whatever works best for you. Whether you're nine days, 90 days, or even two years out, just give me a shout. I've been in your shoes and I'm here to help you every step of the way.

When you reach out, we’ll schedule a Zoom call to set a game plan to get you moved out here and make it as smooth and stress-free as possible. I look forward to helping you find your home in the beautiful Treasure Valley area. If you want to explore more about the Treasure Valley, watch this video right here where we dive in deeper, and I'll see you on the next video.