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Downtown Boise Skyline at Night with the Moon in the Sky

Best Neighborhoods in Boise for Singles & Young Professionals

Thinking about moving to Boise? Idaho’s capital city is a great place to live for singles and young professionals because it offers a low income tax and cost of living, exciting nightlife, and one of the hottest job markets in the state. Here are the five best neighborhoods in Boise for young adults!

Neighborhood Central Bench Downtown Boise East End North End Southeast Boise
Safer than % of City 24% 58% 15% 42% 45%
Median Home Price $228,475 $429,600 $515,050 $453,038 $288,105
Median Rent Price $912 $785 $962 $952 $1,170
Median Household Income $46,187 $42,901 $78,918 $69,108 $79,734
Median Age 34.6 43.7 44.5 39.2 36.9

Central Bench

The Central Bench neighborhood has a median purchase price of $228,475 and a median monthly rent of $912. This neighborhood is safer than 24% of the city.

Located in the heart of the larger Boise Bench is one of the best neighborhoods for singles and young professionals—Central Bench. This historic community combines scenic residential areas with mature trees, affordable real estate, and a thriving business district with plenty of shops, restaurants, and things to do. Commuting young professionals living in this Boise neighborhood will also appreciate being just a quick ten-minute drive from Downtown Boise.

Things to Do in Central Bench

Test your wits and solve puzzles with friends in one of the exciting escape rooms at Escape This Boise. Take dance lessons or show off your skills during the weekly social dancing events at Idaho DanceSport. Shop adorable antiques, charming furniture pieces, and vintage decor at Antique World Mall. Take on tabletop tournaments for games like Magic: The Gathering and the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game, or shop for more games to play at home at Deadly Seven Games. Sample a huge selection of on-tap beers and ciders like Broad St. Blonde or Redlight Irish Red Ale, and fill up on hearty entrees like a Hand Pulled Baby Back Rib Sandwich, a French Dip Sandwich, or a Vegan Burger at CopenRoss Growlers. Savor Middle Eastern dishes like Shawarma, Chicken Kebab, and Falafel, or shop the grocery selection at Ishtar Market and Restaurant. Find fresh, authentic Mexican favorites, from Carne Asada to Birria to Ixtapa, at Andrade’s Restaurante Mexicano. Or visit local landmark Big Bun Drive-In for classic American eats like a Pastrami Burger, Baldy Bob, or Grilled Ham & Cheese.

Activities in Central Bench include shopping, escape rooms, night life, and restaurants.

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Downtown Boise

Apartment Building in Downtown Boise in Boise, ID. Photo by Instagram user @thefowlerboise

Photo via @thefowlerboise

The Downtown Boise neighborhood has a median purchase price of $429,600 and a median monthly rent of $785. This neighborhood is safer than 58% of the city.

Downtown Boise is a major hub for activity in the city, featuring an active nightlife scene, plenty of green space along the Boise River Greenbelt, and many of Boise’s top employers, including The J.R. Simplot Company and St. Luke’s Health System. With its budget-friendly apartments and condos, a large number of shops, restaurants, and bars within walking distance, and great annual events like the Treefort Music Festival, this is a top neighborhood for singles and young professionals in Boise!

Things to Do in Downtown Boise

Peruse fresh produce, handicrafts, baked goods, and other artisanal items at the Boise Farmers Market. Cheer on the Idaho Steelheads hockey team or catch a mixed martial arts match from Front Street Fights at Idaho Central Arena. See larger-than-life street art in the largest open-air, multi-artist mural gallery in the Northwestern U.S.—Freak Alley Gallery. Bring your dog to the beer garden, play some bocce ball, and try house brews like North Fork Lager or a Recoil IPA at Payette Brewing. Listen to live jazz and order upscale fare like a Choice Cowboy Cut Ribeye, Delmonico, or Ora King Salmon from Chandlers Prime Steak and Fine Seafood. Check out the all-day brunch at BACON Boise!, featuring plates like the Bacon & Brie Panini, Benny Hill, or Papa’s Poutine. Order Steamed BBQ Pork Buns, Kung Pao Shrimp, or Turnip Cakes from Yen Ching. Or have Huevos Rancheros, a French Dip, or a Wild Skillet for lunch with unique craft cocktails to drink on the patio at Wild Root Cafe.

Activities in Downtown Boise include markets, an art gallery, gardens, and restaurants.

East End

The East End neighborhood has a median purchase price of $515,050 and a median monthly rent of $962. This neighborhood is safer than 15% of the city.

There are few better places to live for singles and young professionals in Boise than East End, one of the nicest and first neighborhoods in the city. Its central location—with scenic foothills to the north, the Boise River to the south, and Downtown Boise to the west—makes it ideal for people moving to Idaho’s capital city. Here, you’ll find Queen Anne and Tudor Revival-style houses, a business district full of historic architecture, and several public parks and green spaces for residents to enjoy.

Things to Do in East End

Marvel at more than 300 species of plants, meditate at the tranquil koi pond, or explore garden art in the outdoor gallery at Idaho Botanical Garden. Rock out to live music every summer at the Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series, which has previously featured top acts like Santana, Tears for Fears, and John Mellencamp. Hike or take a mountain bike up to Table Rock for a bird’s-eye view of Boise and the Treasure Valley. Go on a self-guided tour of the gallows, solitary confinement, real former cell blocks, and other fascinating historic sites at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Try unique Tex-Mex food like BBQ Brisket Tacos and Chicken Fajita Tacos, or get Fried Fruit Tacos for dessert, from Tin Roof Tacos. Enjoy generously portioned American fare from Chicken Strips or Cod Fingers to Chicken Avocado Salad and more at Trolley House. Grab lunch at Deli George, where they serve Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Boise Cheese Steaks, What a Ham, and other deli classics. Or order a Fruit and Granola Waffle, Peach Crepes, or Dad’s Hot Cakes for breakfast at The Griddle.

Activities in East End include gardens, live music, trails, and restaurants.

North End

The North End neighborhood has a median purchase price of $453,038 and a median monthly rent of $952. This neighborhood is safer than 42% of the city.

With its historic roots, community focus on altruism, and a wealth of amenities and things to do, North End is not only one of the coolest places to live in Boise, but it’s also one of the hottest neighborhoods in the U.S. overall. This hip, eclectic neighborhood is nestled against the Boise Foothills and serves as an entry point to a variety of local hiking and biking trails in the neighboring Hulls Gulch Reserve. North End also has plenty of shops, restaurants, jobs, and housing styles to offer within its borders!

Things to Do in North End

Go for a mountain bike ride or bring your dogs along for a hike at the beautiful 11-acre Camel’s Back Park. Check out the First Friday Sale, get weekly recipe recommendations, and shop groceries, wellness, wine, and more at the popular Boise Co-op. Find your balance with a yoga class or unwind with a massage at Hollywood Market Yoga and Spa. Buy local arts and crafts, try samples from area restaurants, listen to live music, and enjoy a variety of other activities at the annual Hyde Park Street Fair. Hit up Happy Hour every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hyde Park Pub & Grill, which serves delicious drinks like Guinness Stout and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and hearty pub food like Jumbo Finger Steaks, Fish and Chips, and Coconut Shrimp. Get your vegan fix with dishes like Bun Chay, Pho Chay, or Stir-Fried Mixed Veggies & Tofu from 208 Pho & Vegan. Wake up with a Havana Latte and French Style Pancakes, a Trailhead Bowl, or grab a Roast Turkey Sandwich for lunch from Certified Kitchen + Bakery. Or experience one-of-a-kind fusion entrees like Jambalaya Nachos, Wasabi Salmon Salad, or a Chancho Burrito from Parrilla Grill.

Activities in North End include parks, yoga, live music, and restaurants.

Southeast Boise

Small Bungalow Home in Southeast Boise Neighborhood in Boise, ID. Photo by Instagram user @mohoffman

Photo via @mohoffman

The Southeast Boise neighborhood has a median purchase price of $288,105 and a median monthly rent of $1,170. This neighborhood is safer than 45% of the city.

Large, diverse, and just eight minutes from the Boise Airport, Southeast Boise has a lot to offer singles and young professionals moving to the City of Trees. Albertsons and Micron, two of Boise’s largest employers, have headquarters in this thriving neighborhood, and the area even has its own miniature “downtown” called Bown Crossing, where you can find some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. Students of Boise State University will also love living here since the neighborhood is about five minutes away from the campus!

Things to Do in Southeast Boise

Get tickets to classic plays like Much Ado About Nothing, musical showcases like Ain’t Misbehavin’, and other live performances at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater. Play kickball with friends, practice batting in the softball field, or just enjoy the weather at the Simplot Sports Complex. Sample wine by the bottle or the glass on tasting nights at the classy, yet casual, Tastings Wine Bar. Satisfy your sweet tooth with some Premium Chocolate, Salt Water Taffy, or any of the other treats for sale at Cravin’s Candy Emporium, a massive candy store and gelato shop in Bown Crossing. Have specialty sandwiches like the Porter, Bronco Special, or The Bruce at Off Broadway Deli. Fill up on seafood with a Sashimi Combo, Hamachi, or Ahi Poki from Tavern at Bown Crossing. Try the outstanding homemade Russet Fries with The Classic Burger or The Heat Burger for a low-key lunch at Boise Fry Company. Or gather for lunch at Bronco Tacos and enjoy a Birria Burrito, Tacos Bronco, or a Quesadilla.

Activities in Southeast Boise include live theatre, a sports complex, wine tasting, and restaurants.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes

View of the Boise skyline at twilight.

Mike Beutler

About Mike Beutler

Mike Beutler is a writer and digital content specialist who transitioned to self storage in 2020 after several years in the airline industry. His travels cultivated a passion for exploring cities across the U.S. and abroad and inspired him to learn more about practical insights for urban living. With 14 moves under his belt, both locally and cross-country, he also has a passion for minimalism and organization, and sharing tips to help others make any space feel like home while staying organized.