$100k a year, no longer in Madison
changea dispatch from
boise
ID
43.62°N
116.20°W
Boise is basically Denver before Denver got Denver-y: walkable downtown, foothills you can run into on your lunch break, and a river slicing right through the middle of town. The Basque Block downtown anchors the biggest Basque community in the U.S., which nobody sees coming. The vibe is 'we close our laptops and go outside,' and the trails make that very easy to do. Locals would prefer you didn't tell anyone.
in our guides
the verdict
the monthly cost of moving past Madison
Boise edges out a little pricier. Close enough that the decision rides on the days, not the dollars.
a quick ledger.
$1,794/mo
7% more expensive than Madison(vs $1,673/mo)
5.8%
$39/mo less in state tax than Madison
vs 6.27% in Madison
$6,056/mo
$82 less than Madison
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$490k
6% more expensive than Madison
vs $465k in Madison
827k
vs 694k in Madison
field notes, weather & such.
166
pleasant days a year, in boise.
Madison keeps to 147 pleasant days a year. Summer is real but not punishing: 27 days top 95° vs Madison's 0.
Comparable to Madison for events and concerts.
82/100
22% higher than Madison
vs 67/100 in Madison
Closest outdoor draw: Sawtooth National Forest, 48.9 mi.
96/100
9% higher than Madison
vs 88/100 in Madison
16
45% more than Madison
vs 11 nonstops in Madison
if boise appeals, also worth a look:
compare boise with:
