City cost comparison
Boise vs Salt Lake City
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Boise, ID against Salt Lake City, UT.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Boise, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $828 | $792 | +5% cheaper in Salt Lake City |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,162 | $1,188 | +2% cheaper in Boise |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $592 | $604 | +2% cheaper in Boise |
| FoodPer child / month | $315 | $322 | +2% cheaper in Boise |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $77 | $78 | +1% cheaper in Boise |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.