Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Boise City to Los Angeles
Comparing Boise City, Idaho, and Los Angeles, California, using the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates reveals distinct trade-offs between population scale, housing expenses, incomes, and commutes. Boise offers a population of 237,242 with a median household income of $83,904, a median gross rent of $1,446, a median home value of $484,800, and a shorter derived one-way commute of 20 minutes. Conversely, Los Angeles hosts 3,857,263 residents with a median household income of $81,939, a higher median gross rent of $1,933, a median home value of $921,200, and a longer commute of 33 minutes. While Boise provides lower housing costs and quicker travel times, Los Angeles features a simplified state income tax reference of 9.30%, whereas Boise lacks an approved state tax reference.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → Boise CityMoving from Boise City to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$487/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$5,844 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+13 min / day
Difference of ~108 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 → LAX
37/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$3,876after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Boise City is about $5,844 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
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Boise City gross rent$1,446
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Boise City | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 237,242 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $83,904 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,446 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $484,800 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Boise City and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. 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
- Boise City median gross rent is $1,446 compared to $1,933 in Los Angeles
- Median home value is $484,800 in Boise and $921,200 in Los Angeles
- Derived one-way commute is 20 minutes in Boise and 33 minutes in Los Angeles
- Median household income is $83,904 in Boise and $81,939 in Los Angeles
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..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
How do the median household incomes compare between Boise City and Los Angeles?
According to the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, the median household income in Boise City is $83,904, while the median household income in Los Angeles is $81,939.
What are the housing cost differences according to the 2024 ACS data?
Boise City features a median gross rent of $1,446 and a median owner-occupied home value of $484,800. In Los Angeles, the median gross rent is $1,933 and the median home value is $921,200.
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.