San Antonio, TX vs Boise City, ID

Cost of Living Comparison — 2026

Renters in Boise City, ID spend a smaller share of their income on housing. Median household income is 29% higher in Boise City, ID. Home prices in Boise City, ID run 108% higher. Boise City, ID has the lower unemployment rate.

$62,917
Income in San Antonio
$81,308
Income in Boise City
$1,258
Rent in San Antonio
$1,359
Rent in Boise City

Detailed Comparison

Metric
San Antonio, TX
Boise City, ID
Difference
Median Household Income
$62,917
$81,308
29% higher
Median Home Value
$219,700
$456,000
108% more
Median Monthly Rent
$1,258
$1,359
8% more
Median Monthly Housing Costs
$1,235
$1,337
8% more
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
3.8%
33% less
Population
1,458,954
235,701

Housing Costs and Affordability

A common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. In San Antonio, TX, renters allocate roughly 24.0% of median household income to rent (within that threshold). In Boise City, ID, the figure is 20.1% , making Boise City, ID the easier city for renters on a budget.

For prospective homebuyers, the price-to-income ratio tells you how many years of gross income it takes to match the median home price. In San Antonio, TX, that ratio is 3.5x. Homes cost 3.5 times the median annual income. In Boise City, ID, it's 5.6x. Homes are relatively more attainable in San Antonio, TX.

Monthly housing costs (rent plus utilities) average $1,235 in San Antonio and $1,337 in Boise City. These figures include renters paying utilities separately from rent.

Income and Labor Market

Median household income in San Antonio, TX is $62,917; in Boise City, ID it is $81,308. That's a $18,391 gap, but income alone doesn't tell the full story without accounting for local costs.

Unemployment stands at 5.7% in San Antonio and 3.8% in Boise City. Labor force participation (the share of the population working or actively job-seeking) is 52.0% in San Antonio versus 57.5% in Boise City.

Population

San Antonio, TX has a population of 1,458,954, making it the larger of the two cities. Boise City, ID has 235,701 residents. City size affects everything from transit options and job market depth to cost pressures. Larger metros typically see higher housing demand.

Data Sources

All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Income, housing, and employment figures represent the most recent available estimates. Data is refreshed as new Census releases become available.

Verify this data at data.census.gov