Gilbert vs Boise: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Gilbert, Arizona compare to Boise, Idaho? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Boise is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 13% higher in Gilbert compared to Boise, while rent is 50% higher. State income tax is 2.5% in AZ vs 5.8% in ID.
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Boise, ID | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $454,300 | $401,800 | +13.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839 | $1,223 | +50.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 | $76,402 | +50.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $46,964 | $44,728 | +5.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 2.5% | 5.8% | -56.9% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.4% | 6.0% | +39.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 267,267 | 234,192 | +14.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Gilbert
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Boise
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Gilbert costs $454,300 compared to $401,800 in Boise — a 13% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,839/mo in Gilbert vs $1,223/mo in Boise.
- Income: Median household income is $115,179 in Gilbert and $76,402 in Boise.
- Taxes: State income tax is 2.5% in Arizona vs 5.8% in Idaho.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).