CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Columbus, GA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Boise — 9.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $72,600 in Columbus. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing42.0%
Boise
105.6
Columbus
61.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Columbus
96.3
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boise
103.9
Columbus
103.5
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boise
94
Columbus
93.6
Utilities+26.9%
Boise
70.7
Columbus
89.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Columbus, GA
$72,600
$7,400 less needed in Columbus

Formula: salary × (89.3 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9075. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

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

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Boise has 42.0% lower housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

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

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.