Firstly why Boise, Idaho?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Boise
• State: Idaho
• Population: 235,162 people
• Boise’s quick summary would be The state capital, known for its thriving arts scene, the Boise River Greenbelt, and the annual Treefort Music Fest.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 12,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 13,000 annually
• Net Migration: -1000 less people annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,000
• Number of Homeless people: 500

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its outdoor activities and vibrant downtown attracting young professionals

Perk #1: Boise Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 34%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 64%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Hispanic
• The median income is (and growing)  $61,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Boise is $68,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $7000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Boise’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 100 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $1,945
• Property Tax %: 0.94%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,300
• Rent for an average house: $2,100
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: North End
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and probably could include Eagle
• Avg. Age of Homes in Boise: 40 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.5%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Boise’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Boise are  Technology, Manufacturing, and Retail
• Boise Job Scene: strong job market focused on tech and services
• The General Tech Scene: thriving tech hub with strengths in software development, outdoor recreation tech, and startups
• Boise Resident’s pay $1,400 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Boise: 6%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 150 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 7

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Boise

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $100 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-84 runs through Boise facilitating access to southern Idaho
• Commute Time: 23 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening traffic jams on Fairview Avenue
• Transportation Score: 37 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Boise: 180,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.8
• No. of Car Washes: 8 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Boise: transportation.idaho.gov/dmv/
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 66 of 100
• Local Airport: Boise

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Boise’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Boise is best described as enjoys a semi-arid climate with cold winters and hot dry summers characterized by relatively low precipitation throughout the year with spring and fall offering mild conditions
• Winter Weather in Boise i’d describe as cold with occasional snow
• Spring Weather in Boise can be described as mild with occasional rain
• Summer’s in Boise are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Boise is usually cool with sunny days
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 20 days in summer
• Days in a row in Boise below Freezing: 36
• Average Annual Rainfall: 12 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality generally unspoiled by large industries
• Boise Winter Air generally good air quality with few pollution sources

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Boise Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Boise 7
• While the number of trade schools inside Boises’s city limits are 4
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Boise Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Boise Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Boise only Doctors is about 100
• Local Hospitals here is  5
• Full-time Boise only Police Officers is about 344
• Crime Rate Index: 20/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Boise’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• Boise’s Monthly Gym Membership: $40
• Boise’s Water Quality Score: 85

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Boise

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 6 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: booming city with outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown
• You might enjoy shows at the Boise entire theater
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Boise  features an exciting nightlife with a vibrant arts scene including bars restaurants and live music

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Boise

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features a mix of local breweries and farm-to-table restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 30 scattered around Boise
• The Popular Sports Team is Boise State Broncos
• Top Level Political Climate in Boise can be described as liberal city with a focus on social issues and outdoor initiatives
• Boise’s Longer standing religious establishment is First United Methodist Church of Boise

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Boise Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Boise has 25 Parks?
• Ann Morrison Park is Boise’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Boise Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1:30pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and river activities

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Boise Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Boise can be described as active lifestyle with a mix of outdoor activities and urban amenities
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Boise hiking trails exploring local parks sports events
• The Cities people commute to from Boise are Nampa 19 miles away Meridian 11 miles away Caldwell 26 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Boise or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening traffic jams on Fairview Avenue. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Boise’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If North End is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Boise are Nampa 19 miles away Meridian 11 miles away Caldwell 26 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 20 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Boise has 36 days in a row below freezing and 20 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Boise people have an average (positive or negative) $7000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   500 homeless people living in Boise. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal city with a focus on social issues and outdoor initiatives could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Boise.

Retiree & Senior Life in Boise

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for property tax reductions helping with affordability of housing
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Terraces of Boise
• Boise Senior Center offers recreational activities arts classes and health programming for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Boise, Idaho?

If Boise, Idaho ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Boise, Idaho, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!