CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Mobile, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Mobile
88.1
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Mobile is moderately cheaper than Boise — 10.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $71,600 in Mobile. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing43.1%
Boise
105.6
Mobile
60.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Mobile
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Boise
103.9
Mobile
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.2%
Boise
94
Mobile
91.9
Utilities+19.1%
Boise
70.7
Mobile
84.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Mobile, AL
$71,600
$8,400 less needed in Mobile

Formula: salary × (88.1 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.8953. 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×

Mobile, AL

Median Home Price
$187,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Boise has 43.1% lower housing costs compared to Mobile.

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

Mobile, AL

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
187,041
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsMilitaryAerospace

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)

Mobile, AL
3.7×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.