🇺🇸 United States · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Boise? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed apartment, downtown or the North EndUSD 1,350–1,750 / month
One-bed apartment, the Bench or west BoiseUSD 1,100–1,400 / month
Groceries, one personUSD 350–470 / month
Utilities for a small flat — power, gas and waterUSD 120–200 / month; Idaho Power's rates are among the lowest in the US
Valley Regional Transit single bus rideUSD 1.50; USD 2.50 all-day pass, and under-18s ride free
Dinner at a mid-range Boise restaurantUSD 22–34
Good to know
Population
≈240,000 in the city; ≈530,000 in Ada County and ≈830,000 across the Boise metro
Languages
English; Spanish is the main second language, and Boise has a long-established Basque community
Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Time zone
MST (GMT-7); MDT (GMT-6) from mid-March to early November — but northern Idaho is on Pacific time, so the state is split
Power plug
Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz
Climate
High-desert semi-arid — hot dry summers, cold winters with modest valley snow, winter inversions and late-summer wildfire smoke
Driving side
Right
Altitude
≈832 m (2,730 ft) — high desert, so the sun is strong and the air is dry year-round
Sales tax
6% statewide with no local add-on in Boise; groceries are taxed but partly refunded through the grocery credit
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Boise checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Boise
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.