Boise

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Boise, ID

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Breathtaking views await in the hills of Idaho’s state capital

Bike-Friendly Affordable College Town Airport Mountains

Though Boise is home to over 200,000 residents, the city still feels like one of the country’s best-kept secrets. As the state capital of Idaho, Boise’s downtown district is filled with grandiose government buildings and historic storefronts, offering an eclectic mix of international restaurants, specialty shops, and entertainment venues. This city features a thriving arts scene with local gems like the Boise Art Museum, the museum’s seasonal Art in the Park festival, and the historic Egyptian Theatre.

This city features an array of excitement, but it’s also a relaxing suburbia that’s perfect for families. Excellent public schools and Boise State University call this capital city home, along with kid-friendly fun like the Zoo Boise and the Discovery Center of Idaho. The great outdoors is one of Boise’s greatest perks, offering residents top-notch parks and natural areas like Julia Davis Park, Ann Morrison Park, and the Military Reserve, housing hiking trails and a dog park in hilly terrain.

History runs deep in the hills of Boise and remains present with historic gems like the Old Idaho Penitentiary Site, an 1872 prison with 30 historic buildings and exhibitions. And you can’t forget about the picturesque Idaho State Capitol Building! Interstates 184 and 84 and the Boise Airport keep commuting simple for locals. And for all of the family-friendly attractions, historic sites, and entertainment options, Boise is surprisingly affordable, offering a top-notch selection of apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Boise, ID is $1,295 for a studio, $1,418 for one bedroom, $1,602 for two bedrooms, and $1,838 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Boise has decreased by -0.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,418/month
672 Sq Ft
House
$2,124/month
1,321 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,544/month
886 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,025/month
1,428 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Boise, ID

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Boise, ID is 3.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Boise is 4.2% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,295 - $1,838. You can expect to pay 4.8% more for groceries, 18.9% less for utilities, and 11.1% more for transportation.

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Transportation

55

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

25

Some Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

69

Very Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

This area is very bikeable. You’ll find a variety of bike paths and lanes.

Schools

Summerwind Math & Science

Public

Grades PK-5

372 Students

10
out of 10

Adams Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

272 Students

10
out of 10

Collister Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-6

261 Students

10
out of 10

Eliza Hart Spalding STEM Academy

Public

Grades PK-5

678 Students

9
out of 10

Pioneer School of the Arts

Public

Grades PK-5

667 Students

9
out of 10

Les Bois Junior High School

Public

Grades 6-9

705 Students

8
out of 10

East Junior High School

Public

Grades 7-9

619 Students

8
out of 10

Lowell Scott Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

802 Students

7
out of 10

North Junior High School

Public

Grades 7-9

876 Students

6
out of 10

Lake Hazel Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

1,065 Students

5
out of 10

Boise Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,588 Students

7
out of 10

Timberline High School

Public

Grades 10-12

1,398 Students

7
out of 10

Borah Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,289 Students

6
out of 10

Centennial High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,931 Students

5
out of 10

Capital Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

1,220 Students

4
out of 10

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Bowden Park
  • Platt Gardens
  • Ann Morrison Park
  • Kathryn Albertson Park
  • Boise River Greenbelt

Airports

  • Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field

Top Apartments in Boise

Houses for Rent in Boise

Property Management Companies in Boise, ID

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.