Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Boise City to Houston
Comparing Boise City, Idaho, and Houston, Texas, using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct financial and logistical trade-offs. Boise City features a smaller population of 237,242 alongside a higher median household income of $83,904. However, its housing costs are steeper, with a median owner-occupied home value of $484,800 and a median gross rent of $1,446 per month. Conversely, Houston accommodates a significantly larger population of 2,328,253 with a lower median household income of $64,813, but offers more affordable housing, showing a median home value of $277,800 and a median gross rent of $1,361. Commute times also diverge, with Boise residents averaging 20 minutes compared to Houston's 30 minutes. Additionally, Houston includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 0.00%, whereas Boise City's state income tax is excluded from these figures. Neither city holds a universal advantage.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → Boise CityMoving from Boise City to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$85/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$1,020/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+10 min / day
Difference of ~83 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTBOI → HOU
57/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$13,404after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $1,020 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Boise City household income$83,904
Houston household income$64,813
Boise City gross rent$1,446
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Boise City | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 237,242 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $83,904 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $1,446 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $484,800 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Boise City and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income differences
- Owner-occupied home value gaps
- Median gross rent variations
- Derived one-way commute times
What each city wins
Boise City
A median household income of $83,904 paired with a median home value of $484,800.. Watch a 20-minute derived commute against citywide housing benchmarks..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do median household incomes compare between Boise City and Houston?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Boise City has a median household income of $83,904, whereas Houston has a median household income of $64,813.
What are the housing costs in Boise City versus Houston?
Boise City reports a median owner-occupied home value of $484,800 and a median gross rent of $1,446 per month. Houston reports a median owner-occupied home value of $277,800 and a median gross rent of $1,361 per month based on the same ACS datasets.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.