One of the country’s fastest-growing cities, Boise is a superb place to live thanks to its low cost of living, pleasant climate all year long, and low crime rate. Just be prepared for a frustrating rush hour commute and expensive housing market.

There is a good reason why Boise is known as the "City of Trees." Newcomers have always been drawn to the area's beautiful scenery and abundant natural resources. Boise is now a popular destination for college students, millennials, and retirees alike due to its mild climate, distinctive culture, and access to big-city amenities at a small-town price.

But before you relocate to Boise, you should know what moving there will actually be like!

Jerry

, the

trusted super app

for car and

home insurance

, has compiled the perfect guide to moving to Boise, which you can find down below.

Along the way, we'll also let you in on some secrets for lowering your

Boise car insurance costs

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

What you need to know about Boise before you move

For its breathtaking wildness and stunning natural settings, this Pacific Northwest city is known as the "City of Trees." Boise is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities—from 2010 to 2018, the city's population increased by 18.2%! Today, this city is home to nearly 229,000 people who enjoy big-city living at a remarkably low cost.

If you're considering relocating to Boise, here are some factors to think about before making the jump!

1. It has a pretty low cost of living—if you aren’t looking to buy a house

Want to call the Pacific Northwest home but don't want to live in pricey Seattle or Portland? With a cost of living that is 8% lower than the U.S. average, Boise is one of the most affordable large cities to live in.

Unfortunately, while it was once a rather affordable place to buy a home, rates have gone up over the years—there was a 33.7% increase between 2020-2021, with the median home price now sitting at around $496,900.

Utility prices are also 14% cheaper than the national average, and, with a score of 93.8, the cost of groceries in Boise is on the lower end of the range.

A gallon of milk costs around $2.90, a loaf of bread costs approximately $2.76, and a carton of eggs costs about $3.57.

2. The job market is thriving

When considering job prospects, it is easy to see why Boise is on so many people's radars. The city’s 2.3% unemployment rate is significantly lower than in Idaho and the rest of the country. Boise also has a thriving job market thanks to the city's continued attraction as a destination for opening company headquarters!

Industries like mining and extraction, utilities, manufacturing, and professional and technical services are some of the highest-paying in Boise. Idaho Power, Albertson's, MicronTechnology, and BlueCrossofIdaho are some of the city's biggest employers.

3. It’s a pretty safe city to live

According to

NeighborhoodScout

, Boise has a relatively low crime rate of 31 out of 100. That may not appear ideal, but it is far better than many major cities. In reality, Boise's crime rate is 10% lower than the national average and below 38% of cities in the U.S.

It's also worth mentioning that

crime in Boise has been on the decline

over the past decade—and keep in mind that "crime" does not necessarily imply "violence." In Boise, only 10% of crimes are violent.

4. It’s a family-oriented city

Not only is Boise an inexpensive place to live, but it's also full of family-friendly activities, making it one of the

greatest cities in the United States to raise a family

In need of some fun things to do with your kids? Looking for kid-friendly things to do? Visit

Zoo Boise

to see penguins, red pandas, and snow leopards. Or cool off in the sun at

Roaring Springs Water Park

, which features slides, lazy rivers, a wave pool, and more.

Regarding education, the Boise Independent School District is highly regarded and a great place to send your kids to school. This district is among the top ten in Idaho (out of 100+), and it ranks even higher on the list of the best school districts for athletes in Idaho.

5. Boise is a pretty car-dependant city—but be ready to sit in traffic

You'll probably want to drive most of the time if you live in Boise.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to deal with

one of the worst rush-hour commutes in the country

. Yep—Boise is worse than even major cities such as

San Francisco

and

Los Angeles

Of course, if you live in Los Angeles, you'll be stuck in traffic for much longer, but your alternatives aren't confined to a single route, which makes driving less than ideal. The "Boise Connector," or I-184, connects the major freeway to downtown Boise and its neighboring districts.

MORE:

How bad is Boise traffic?

6. You’ll enjoy mostly mild weather year-round

You'll be relieved to know that Boise isn't the snowmageddon that some believe it is. Some places in Idaho do get a significant amount of snowfall, but Boise is not one of them!

You can experience all four seasons pretty equally throughout the year and, on average, see approximately 220 days of sunshine annually. Boise has very low humidity and receives 12 inches of precipitation each year.

The temperature ranges typically from 24°Fto93°F throughout the year, rarely falling below 10 °F or rising over 101 °F.

7. It grew into its “City of Trees” nickname

Boise was already known as the City of Trees long before it was incorporated as a city. French fur trappers on the Oregon Trail finally reached the Boise River Valley and exclaimed, "Les Bois, Les Bois!" (which literally translates to "the trees, the trees") upon seeing them. The moniker quickly gained popularity.

Idaho's state capital started among all those trees, despite being in the middle of a huge desert. To this day, the City of Boise maintains an arboretum on a small piece of land in recognition of this nickname.

MORE:

Does my car insurance cover me if I move to a new city?

Finding a place to live in Boise

Checking out multiple Boise neighborhoods will help you zero in on the best area to call home if you decide to make the move. Doing your homework can help you find the perfect area in Boise's many unique communities.

If you haven't settled on a specific area yet, here are some options to think about:

Most iconic neighborhoods: East End Historic District, Warm Springs Avenue, Harrison Boulevard Historic District

Best neighborhoods for families with kids: Boise Bench, North End, Harris Ranch

Best neighborhoods for foodies: Downtown Boise/8th Street, Southeast Boise, Boise Heights

Best neighborhoods for low crime rates: Barber, Ivywild Park, West Bench

Most affordable neighborhoods: Collister, Depot Bench, Southwest Ada

MORE:

Cheap car insurance if you rent an apartment

Moving to Boise checklist

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of things that need to be done in preparation for a move, no matter if you’re moving to the other side of the city or across the country. Below are some things to keep in mind before, during, and after your move that will help to make the process of moving to Boise go more smoothly:

Before you go

Keep in mind the following before making your move:

Hire a moving company to help you haul your heavy stuff. Or rent a

U-Haul

if you'd rather do it yourself

Pack up all your things

Notify your current landlord, insurance company, employer, and utility companies that you will soon be moving. You'll also have to notify the post office of your change of address

If driving to Boise seems like too much of a chore, you could always look into

shipping your vehicle

there instead

After you get there

You'll probably want to kick back and relax after the big move, but there's still more to do! You should also complete the following tasks as soon as possible:

If you've recently relocated to Idaho, you'll need to do two things: (1)

in the state and (2)

update your insurance coverage

to reflect your new address

Make sure your voter registration and health insurance are updated

Get yourself covered with either new homeowners or

renter’s insurance

Check out your new neighborhood! You can make Boise feel more like home by exploring the area and discovering your new fave coffee shop, local restaurant, and walking path

MORE:

Complete checklist for moving out of state

How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Boise

We've already established that having a car in Boise is a necessity, and if you're shopping around for new

car insurance

to match your new digs, we recommend downloading the

Jerry

app.

The Jerry app is a licensed broker that provides end-to-end support, including gathering competitive quotes, helping you swap plans, and even canceling your current policy! In addition, Jerry can help you save even more by bundling your auto and home insurance policies.

The average Jerry user saves over $800 per year on car insurance payments alone.

“Just for state minimum liability, I was getting quotes from $70 to over $100/month until I found
Jerry
. Now my car insurance is under $30/month, or $140 for 6 months. Thank you, Jerry!” —Frank S.

Let Jerry find you the best homeowners insurance policy for your needs

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

Shop Now

* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

FAQs

Is it worth moving to Boise?

Moving to Boise has its advantages but also drawbacks, such as a frustrating commute during rush hour and an expensive housing market. However, because of its lower cost of living compared to other major cities, it is also an excellent location for young professionals and families. If the pros outweigh the cons for you, the move is definitely worth it.

How much money do I need to move to Boise?

A single adult in Boise should earn at least $3,460 per month, or $41,520 per year, according to experts.

Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance

Bundle your home and auto insurance with Jerry and save!

Try Jerry