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Talk to a Specialist →| Factor | Boise ID | Denver CO |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | ID: $0 for most retirees (deduction + SS exempt) | CO: 4.4% flat; $24K/person retirement income deduction for 65+ |
| Annual income tax — couple, $80K draws | $0 (Idaho) | ~$0–$2,816 (CO, depends on draws vs $48K exclusion) |
| Property tax — $550K home | ~$3,230 (Ada Co., after homestead) | ~$2,200–$3,300 (varies by Front Range county) |
| Altitude | ~2,730 ft (Boise) — no altitude concern | 5,280–7,000+ ft — real health consideration |
| Ski access | Bogus Basin — 45 min | Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone — 90 min–2 hrs |
| Mountain access | Sawtooth Mountains — 2.5 hrs; Boise foothills immediately | Rocky Mountain National Park — 90 min |
| Summer climate | 95–100°F, dry | 85–92°F, dry — cooler than Boise |
| Healthcare | St. Luke’s — Top 15 nationally | UCHealth — strong regional; not Top 15 academic |
| California buyers | Primary feeder state | Secondary — CO attracts CA buyers but less equity conversion |
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Boise wins on income tax for buyers under $95,870 in retirement draws — zero vs Colorado's 4.4% on income above the exclusion. Denver wins on Rocky Mountain access for serious skiers — 90 minutes to world-class resorts vs Boise's 45 minutes to the more modest Bogus Basin. Denver summers are cooler than Boise. The altitude variable is critical for buyers with cardiac, respiratory, or sleep issues — Boise at 2,730 feet has no altitude concern; Denver at 5,280 feet and higher is a real health consideration. St. Luke's in Boise is a stronger healthcare anchor than Denver's regional system. For California buyers, the equity conversion math slightly favors Boise where California buyer volume drives the market.
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