CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Boise, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent

Boise is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 6.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $74,700 in Boise. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing3.9%
Anchorage
109.9
Boise
105.6
🛒 Groceries10.3%
Anchorage
107.3
Boise
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Anchorage
108.5
Boise
103.9
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Anchorage
98.2
Boise
94
Utilities36.8%
Anchorage
111.8
Boise
70.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Boise to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Boise, ID
$74,700
$5,300 less needed in Boise

Formula: salary × (98.4 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9336. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Anchorage has 3.9% lower housing costs compared to Boise.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.