Boise vs Portland
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Boise, ID | Portland, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $540K | $562K |
| Median single-family | $560K | $606K |
| Median condo | $320K | $346K |
| Median $/sq ft | $320 | $327 |
| Median days on market | 11 | 10 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 100.4% | 101.3% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,130 | 3,060 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 15,385 | 31,500 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Boise is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $540K versus $562K in Portland, roughly 4% less (Redfin, May 2026). Price per square foot is close too, $320 in Boise and $327 in Portland. Homes have been selling at a similar pace, about 11 median days on market in Boise and 10 in Portland. Idaho has a 5.3% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Oregon has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. In 2024 about 15,000 Californians moved to Idaho and about 32,000 to Oregon (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Boise: 5.3% flat rate (tax year 2026). Portland: Progressive, top rate 9.9%. Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Boise and moving from LA to Portland.
Common questions
Is Boise or Portland cheaper?
Boise had the lower median sale price, about $540K versus $562K in Portland (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 4% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Boise or Portland?
Boise has the lower state income tax. Idaho has a 5.3% flat income tax (tax year 2026). By comparison, Oregon has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.9%. Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Boise vs Portland?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,130 square feet in Boise and 3,060 in Portland, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
