Boise vs Seattle
Two of the places Angelenos weigh most. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Boise, ID | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $540K | $901K |
| Median single-family | $560K | $1.17M |
| Median condo | $320K | $503K |
| Median $/sq ft | $320 | $571 |
| Median days on market | 11 | 11 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 100.4% | 100.8% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,130 | 1,750 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 15,385 | 43,938 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024.
Taxes
Boise: 5.3% flat rate (tax year 2026). Seattle: None on wages (Washington has no personal income tax on wages). 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 Seattle.
Common questions
Is Boise or Seattle cheaper?
Boise had the lower median sale price, about $540K versus $901K in Seattle (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 40% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Boise or Seattle?
Boise: 5.3% flat rate (tax year 2026). Seattle: None on wages (Washington has no personal income tax on wages). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Boise vs Seattle?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,130 square feet in Boise and 1,750 in Seattle, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.