Compare any U.S. Census place · Official 2024 ACS data · Guarded AI analysis

Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS

Moving from Boise City to Phoenix

Comparing Boise City, Idaho and Phoenix, Arizona using 2024 ACS data reveals distinct trade-offs in population scale, household economics, and daily transit. Boise records a population estimate of 237,242 with a median household income of $83,904, a median gross rent of $1,446, and a median home value of $484,800. Its derived one-way commute is 20 minutes, and state income tax details are unlisted. Conversely, Phoenix hosts 1,642,323 residents with a median household income of $81,332, a median gross rent of $1,582, and a lower median home value of $420,700, alongside a 28-minute one-way commute and a simplified 2.50% state income tax reference. While Phoenix offers lower purchase prices, Boise provides higher incomes and shorter commutes.

Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta

Moving from Boise City to Phoenix

⇄ Switch to PhoenixBoise City
Median Rent Impact
+$136/mo

Moving to Phoenix costs ~$1,632 more/yr in rent.

State Tax Treatment
+2.5%

~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.

Daily Commute Difference
+8 min / day

Difference of ~67 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.

What matters most?

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 VERDICTBOIPHX
54/ 100

A close, nuanced move

Your modeled annual room improves.
Estimated annual life delta+$7,952after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Take-home$69,208$78,792
Core costs$32,352$33,984
Commute time63 hours lost
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
See assumptions and methodology →
Advertisement

The short answer

In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Boise City is about $1,632 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Boise City gross rent$1,446
Phoenix gross rent$1,582

Housing, income, and tax reference

MetricBoise CityPhoenix
2024 ACS population237,2421,642,323
Median household income$83,904$81,332
Median gross rent$1,446$1,582
Median owner-occupied home value$484,800$420,700
State-tax treatmentExcluded2.5% simplified
Salary & Affordability Benchmark

How much do you need to earn to live in Phoenix?

2024 ACS Median Income

$81,332/yr

30% Rule for RentRecommended
$63,280 / year

To afford Phoenix's median gross rent of $1,582/mo at or below 30% of gross earnings, a household needs approximately $30.42/hour (full-time).

28% Rule for HomeownershipMedian Home
$106,671 / year

Modeled against Phoenix's median home benchmark of $420,700 (estimated $2,489/mo ownership carrying cost at typical 7.1% baseline).

Slide to test your income against local rent, taxes, and essentials.
$81,332gross/year
Affordability Status:Comfortable
Rent is 23% of gross income (33% of net pay)

At this income, median rent is only 23% of gross pay, leaving strong room for savings and essentials.

Monthly Budget AllocationEstimated Net Take-Home: $4,768/mo
Tax 30%
Rent 23%
Essentials 18%
Savings 29%
Taxes: $2,033/mo Rent: $1,582/mo Essentials: $1,250/mo Discretionary Margin: $1,936/mo

Time and daily routine

The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 20 minutes in Boise City and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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.

Advertisement

Decision checklist

  • Boise features a smaller population than Phoenix
  • Boise has a higher median household income
  • Phoenix offers lower median home values
  • Boise provides a shorter one-way commute time

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..

Phoenix

A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.

Frequently asked questions

Which city has a higher median household income according to the 2024 ACS data?

Boise City, Idaho has a higher median household income at $83,904, compared to Phoenix, Arizona at $81,332.

How do the median home values and commutes compare between Boise and Phoenix?

Boise has a higher median owner-occupied home value of $484,800 and a 20-minute commute, whereas Phoenix has a lower median home value of $420,700 and a 28-minute commute.

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.

Advertisement