AreaScoop
Boise, ID

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Boise, ID

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 34
Population235,701
Foreign Born3.3%
Population Density2,738people per mi²
Median Age38.2 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B+
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

135/100

35% above national average

B+

The Real Cost of Living in Boise, Idaho

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $22k$41k
Comfortable $89k$130k
Luxury $147k+$228k+
Elite (Top 5%) $184k+$286k+
Affordability Ratio

62%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A-
Hood Index scan area
Premium Lean75%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
13
Negative
32

Groceries

5 within 10 miles

0.1mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

0.5mi

Airport

Jackson Jet Center

3.3mi

Post Office

USPS — Meridian, ID

9.4mi

Critical Amenities

Golf8Nearest 1 mi
Camping20Nearest 2.1 mi
Marina0Nearest 10.3 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 89.7 mi
Gun Range7Nearest 2 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C+
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$81k+6.4%
8% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$829k
26% above US avg
College Educated
46.6%
33% above US avg
WFH
15.8%
10% above US avg
Homeownership
63.0%
4% below US avg
Median Home
$456k
62% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

Generally safer than 72% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
11.1
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−25.5%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−11.9%
Homicide
0.01 / 1k Residents35% below state avg
Robbery
0.16 / 1k Residents184% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
2.01 / 1k Residents21% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr−39.2%
Burglary
0.70 / 1k Residents20% below state avg
Larceny-Theft
6.72 / 1k Residents47% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
0.82 / 1k Residents59% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+13Leans Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Boise, Idaho
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
C+
Moderate

Moderate friction. Expect trade-offs in some aspect of personal liberty and independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C-
Weak10.7% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A-
GreatFPC Grade A-
Homeschooling
A+
GreatNo notice required

Energy independence: Importer (25% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
F
ProhibitedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
F
ProhibitedIllegal

Homesteading

Growing Season182 days253 frost-free
Annual Rainfall14.0"
Elevation2,730 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
C+
Exposed

Meaningful friction. Expect exposure to either population pressure, blast zones, or natural disaster risk. Consider buying a retreat property.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
A+
Great670 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor2,738/sq mi
Fallout Danger
F
Poor11 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 372 mi · coast 397 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$115.6M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityLos Angeles3.9M people are 670 mi away
Nearest Major AirportNo hub airport within 50 mi
Distance to State Capital0.0 miBoise, ID
Nearest Prison2.1 mi10 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-15T23:29:25.000Z

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