Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Boise City, ID?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 85.8% more expensive than Boise City, ID. This translates to spending an extra $6439 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Boise City, ID?

If you earn $150,000 in Boise City, ID, you'd need approximately $227,264.151 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boise City, ID and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 227.0% more expensive than in Boise City, ID. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,400/month in Boise City, ID.

How much can I save per month by moving from Boise City, ID to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $6439 more per month than Boise City, ID, or $77264 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Boise City, ID vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Boise City, ID

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.4K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $227.3K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boise City, ID area

Overall Cost

↑ 85.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$6,439

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$77.3K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Boise City, ID

Population:235K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$504K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:

186

(86% above avg)

Median Home:$1.25M

Boise City, ID

The Gem State

235K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Idaho, this city has a population of 235K residents.

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Boise City, ID vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Boise City, ID	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,989/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $6,783more	227.0%
Transportation	$1,325/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $833more	62.9%
Groceries	$979/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $180more	18.4%
Other	$1,774/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $100more	5.7%
Healthcare	$644/mo	$706/mo	↑ $61.96more	9.6%
All Utilities	$486/mo	$448/mo	↓ $38.25less	7.9%

Housing

↑ 227.0%

Boise City, ID

$2,989

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$6,783

Transportation

↑ 62.9%

Boise City, ID

$1,325

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$833

Groceries

↑ 18.4%

Boise City, ID

$979

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$180

Other

↑ 5.7%

Boise City, ID

$1,774

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

Healthcare

↑ 9.6%

Boise City, ID

$644

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$61.96

All Utilities

↓ 7.9%

Boise City, ID

$486

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$38.25

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$950

To$2,460

↑ $1,510

1 Bed

From$1,100

To$2,950

↑ $1,850

2 Bed

From$1,400

To$3,570

↑ $2,170

3 Bed

From$1,950

To$4,560

↑ $2,610

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,198

Monthly in Boise City, ID

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$7,920

Difference

Home Values

Boise City

San Francisco

Median Value

$1.25M

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Calculate payment - San Francisco

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$468

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.7%

Rate difference

Boise City, ID

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Idaho State Tax

Effective: 10.8%

$16.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 35.5%

$53.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,062/month

$96.7K

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Boise City, ID Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:0.7%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.