Quick answer
Durham costs $55/month less overall ($1,805 vs $1,860/mo). Durham also has lower state income tax (4.75% vs 5.8%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Boise vs Durham
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Boise vs Durham at a Glance
| Metric | Boise | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,380 | $1,650 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,720 | $1,650 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $445K | $425K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $135 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,860 | $1,805 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 42/100 | 64/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 28/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 5.8% | 4.75% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Durham's 1BR averages $1,350/month vs $1,380 in Boise — a $30/month difference, or $360/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Durham charges 4.75% state income tax vs 5.8% in Boise. On an $80K salary that's a $840/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,960 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Durham are $425K vs $445K in Boise. At a 20% down payment, that's a $4,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Utilities are essentially equal between both cities at $135/month.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Boise, ID
Boise is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Durham, NC
Durham's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Boise
Four seasons; hot dry summers, cold winters with snow, 205 sunny days
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
Job Market
Boise top industries
Durham top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Boise if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a remote workers from expensive West Coast cities
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a families
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise or Durham cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $1,860 in Boise — a $55/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Boise or Durham?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 42/100. Boise is more car-dependent.
Boise vs Durham: which has lower state income tax?
Durham has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $840/year vs Boise (5.8%).
Is Boise or Durham better for buying a home?
Durham has lower median home prices at $425K vs $445K in Boise — a $20,000 difference on the median home.