Idaho has a cost of living index of 87 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $65,190 and a population of 1,381,127. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Idaho.
Ammon is 5% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $84,154 and a population of 18,496.
Nampa is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $72,122 and a population of 106,289.
Idaho Falls is 14% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $69,630 and a population of 66,672.
Chubbuck is 15% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $78,646 and a population of 15,900.
Lewiston is 17% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $71,047 and a population of 34,471.
Middleton is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $83,681 and a population of 10,101.
Blackfoot is 25% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $69,091 and a population of 12,628.
Jerome is 24% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $65,343 and a population of 12,689.
Caldwell is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $66,663 and a population of 63,465.
Pocatello is 23% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $57,931 and a population of 57,152.
Burley is 22% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $63,315 and a population of 11,721.
Twin Falls is 15% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $60,760 and a population of 53,219.
Boise City is 12% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $81,308 and a population of 235,701.
Kuna is 16% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $93,545 and a population of 25,960.
Rathdrum is 8% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $86,431 and a population of 10,133.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.