Boise vs Seattle: cost of living compared
Seattle is 52% more expensive than Boise overall.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving from Boise to Seattle means a substantial increase in overall living expenses. Seattle's cost of living is considerably higher than the national average, while Boise's is only slightly above it. This significant difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are dramatically higher in Seattle, though nearly all spending categories contribute to the gap.
Housing
The cost of housing presents the most striking difference. Both purchasing a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in Seattle. Median home prices in Seattle are much higher, and monthly rents for a one-bedroom unit also show a considerable gap. Property taxes and insurance costs associated with higher home values will also be greater in Seattle, impacting overall ownership expenses.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses like groceries, healthcare, and utilities are noticeably higher in Seattle compared to Boise. Transportation costs are also greater in Seattle, and commutes tend to be longer. A key financial difference is Washington State's lack of a state income tax, which can provide some relief compared to states that levy such taxes, potentially offsetting some other higher costs.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Movers will experience different environments. Boise offers a drier, high-desert climate with distinct seasons, while Seattle is known for its mild, wet climate and frequent cloud cover, especially outside of summer. Seattle is a much larger, denser metropolitan area with extensive public transit options, whereas Boise is a smaller city where personal vehicles are more common for getting around. The pace of life and urban density differ considerably.
Bottom line
A move from Boise to Seattle will require a significant adjustment to household budgeting due to generally higher expenses across the board. While the absence of a state income tax in Washington is a notable advantage, it is unlikely to fully compensate for the substantially higher costs of housing and everyday goods and services. Financial planning should account for a much larger budget requirement in Seattle.
| Measure | Boise, ID | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 102 | 155 |
| Housing index | 110 | 192 |
| Transportation index | 82 | 123 |
| Food index | 95 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 95 | 112 |
| Utilities index | 88 | 105 |
| Misc index | 90 | 118 |
| Median home price | $418,000 | $748,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,450/mo | $2,350/mo |
| Average commute | 22 min | 33 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Seattle home with the True Cost Calculator.