Boise, ID vs Lafayette, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boise
73.2
#766 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Boise leads in cost of living index (104 vs 280). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $82,500). Boise leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 29.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boise, ID | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.2 (#766) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 237,963 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $507,649 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $82,500 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Low | 2.2 |
| School Rating | 7.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.3 | D+38.0 |
C
73.2 Score
Boise, ID
Mountain living meets urban opportunity
Median Home
$507,649
Population
237,963
Crime
Low
Schools
B+
West
View Boise, ID →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →