Cost of Living in Idaho

213 cities | Population: 1,381,127

Average Cost of Living Index (US = 100)

Median Income: $65,190

Cost of Living in Idaho: Overview

Idaho has a cost of living index of 87, making it 13% less expensive than the national average. The statewide median household income is $65,190 (13% below the US median of $75,149). Across 213 cities tracked in Idaho, costs vary widely depending on location, proximity to metro areas, and local housing markets.

Housing drives most of the variation. The average median rent across Idaho cities is $984/mo (25% below the national median of $1,319), and the average median home value is $277,170 (9% below the national figure of $304,900). There is a 72-point spread between the most affordable city, Rupert (index 73), and the most expensive, Eagle (index 144) — a large gap that shows significant regional cost differences.

When evaluating Idaho, it helps to look beyond the state average. Individual city costs can deviate significantly — use the map and rankings below to compare specific locations.

The largest cities in Idaho by population are Boise City (index 112, pop. 235,701), Meridian (index 125, pop. 124,865), Nampa (index 101, pop. 106,289), Idaho Falls (index 86, pop. 66,672), and Caldwell (index 94, pop. 63,465). Cost of living varies considerably even among these major population centers, highlighting the importance of comparing individual cities rather than relying on the state average alone.

Data: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow, HUD, BEA Regional Price Parities. Updated monthly.

Cost of Living Map

Top 100 cities by population. Click a marker for details.

Most Expensive in Idaho

1. Eagle (31,490) 144 2. Meridian (124,865) 125 3. Star (13,231) 123 4. Hayden (16,021) 122 5. Kuna (25,960) 116 6. Hailey (9,439) 116 7. Boise City (235,701) 112 8. Coeur d'Alene (55,558) 111 9. Post Falls (41,716) 109 10. Rathdrum (10,133) 108

Cheapest in Idaho

1. Rupert (6,157) 73 2. Blackfoot (12,628) 75 3. Weiser (5,803) 76 4. Jerome (12,689) 76 5. Pocatello (57,152) 77 6. Burley (11,721) 78 7. Payette (8,358) 78 8. Preston (5,800) 80 9. Lewiston (34,471) 83 10. Emmett (7,948) 83

Best Places to Live in Idaho (2026)

Our data-driven guide ranking the top 15 cities by affordability, income, housing, and climate.

All Cities in Idaho (213)

City	Population	Cost Index	Median Income	Median Rent	Home Value
Boise City	235,701	112	$81,308	$1,359/mo	$456,000
Meridian	124,865	125	$98,686	$1,714/mo	$485,000
Nampa	106,289	101	$72,122	$1,340/mo	$332,500
Idaho Falls	66,672	86	$69,630	$992/mo	$298,600
Caldwell	63,465	94	$66,663	$1,135/mo	$322,100
Pocatello	57,152	77	$57,931	$861/mo	$240,600
Coeur d'Alene	55,558	111	$70,845	$1,328/mo	$451,600
Twin Falls	53,219	85	$60,760	$1,011/mo	$279,400
Post Falls	41,716	109	$73,313	$1,313/mo	$425,100
Rexburg	39,589	93	$50,359	$959/mo	$384,000
Lewiston	34,471	83	$71,047	$938/mo	$290,900
Eagle	31,490	144	$118,037	$1,753/mo	$711,500
Kuna	25,960	116	$93,545	$1,647/mo	$403,700
Moscow	25,868	89	$56,497	$902/mo	$352,000
Ammon	18,496	95	$84,154	$1,175/mo	$336,500
Mountain Home	16,265	87	$58,486	$1,061/mo	$270,700
Hayden	16,021	122	$77,534	$1,676/mo	$445,700
Chubbuck	15,900	85	$78,646	$917/mo	$313,700
Star	13,231	123	$91,318	$1,622/mo	$498,900
Jerome	12,689	76	$65,343	$900/mo	$214,900
Blackfoot	12,628	75	$69,091	$798/mo	$225,900
Garden City	12,483	103	$66,859	$1,206/mo	$411,400
Burley	11,721	78	$63,315	$920/mo	$213,700
Rathdrum	10,133	108	$86,431	$1,412/mo	$381,800
Middleton	10,101	94	$83,681	$1,077/mo	$348,900
Hailey	9,439	116	$83,084	$1,196/mo	$574,500
Sandpoint	9,244	101	$67,769	$1,047/mo	$449,500
Payette	8,358	78	$55,455	$846/mo	$247,700
Emmett	7,948	83	$58,523	$854/mo	$299,000
Fruitland	6,405	85	$62,703	$950/mo	$286,300
Rupert	6,157	73	$54,444	$835/mo	$182,500
Weiser	5,803	76	$45,463	$908/mo	$196,200
Preston	5,800	80	$55,625	$794/mo	$280,500
Rigby	5,251	85	$78,278	$1,035/mo	$267,200
Shelley	4,987	90	$63,864	$1,212/mo	$267,200
Kimberly	4,883	85	$76,587	$995/mo	$289,500
American Falls	4,636	68	$58,376	$710/mo	$172,800
Buhl	4,624	85	$46,217	$1,265/mo	$192,600
McCall	3,847	109	$60,197	$995/mo	$564,500
St. Anthony	3,818	71	$52,446	$729/mo	$199,600
Lincoln	3,759	95	$80,818	$1,245/mo	$307,800
Gooding	3,731	73	$36,889	$869/mo	$175,800
Heyburn	3,678	80	$70,078	$1,017/mo	$205,300
Ketchum	3,551	130	$87,658	$1,190/mo	$756,200
Hidden Springs	3,490	158	$159,439	$2,276/mo	$683,800
Grangeville	3,443	78	$59,013	$783/mo	$262,000
Orofino	3,254	77	$57,171	$892/mo	$218,900
Mountain Home AFB	3,198	113	$72,411	$1,821/mo	—
Salmon	3,196	66	$40,875	$584/mo	$198,400
Soda Springs	3,150	74	$47,480	$826/mo	$204,800
St. Maries	3,032	77	$52,468	$859/mo	$205,400
Victor	3,024	118	$73,664	$1,210/mo	$591,500
Homedale	3,006	78	$49,764	$951/mo	$200,000
Wendell	2,940	73	$54,850	$783/mo	$209,600
Iona	2,882	101	$83,750	$1,284/mo	$364,400
Filer	2,837	84	$53,508	$1,127/mo	$224,400
Montpelier	2,681	67	$52,212	$639/mo	$185,600
Driggs	2,655	105	$82,434	$1,160/mo	$457,800
Bonners Ferry	2,615	86	$54,107	$1,043/mo	$272,000
Bellevue	2,571	118	$72,242	$1,503/mo	$482,600
Dalton Gardens	2,526	115	$84,375	$838/mo	$673,800
Malad City	2,441	79	$75,500	$965/mo	$210,300
Aberdeen	2,418	64	$67,813	$663/mo	$144,700
Fort Hall	2,343	59	$40,757	$381/mo	$196,000
Kellogg	2,232	78	$44,352	$903/mo	$217,200
Priest River	2,058	77	$57,712	$748/mo	$271,500
Pinehurst	2,014	80	$66,447	$833/mo	$267,100
Sugar City	2,011	97	$71,944	$1,307/mo	$308,000
Shoshone	1,985	75	$56,050	$898/mo	$187,800
New Plymouth	1,863	79	$59,875	$988/mo	$199,200
Parma	1,836	81	$47,798	$955/mo	$232,400
Spirit Lake	1,768	96	$60,938	$1,003/mo	$380,800
Osburn	1,728	71	$44,583	$794/mo	$182,800
Wilder	1,690	75	$55,938	$799/mo	$215,600
Paul	1,615	76	$62,830	$788/mo	$251,200
Ucon	1,537	85	$83,864	$920/mo	$311,700
Tyhee	1,475	101	$89,500	$1,171/mo	$417,800
Ponderay	1,456	94	$50,119	$988/mo	$391,700
Glenns Ferry	1,443	70	$51,625	$725/mo	$189,400
Moyie Springs	1,420	81	$61,783	$733/mo	$326,200
Hansen	1,414	68	$47,396	$724/mo	$178,600
Moreland	1,386	94	$60,048	—	$260,100
Sun Valley	1,383	166	$82,045	$2,114/mo	$845,600
Grace	1,345	56	$69,286	$271/mo	$180,300
Ashton	1,329	79	$66,250	$925/mo	$222,300
Genesee	1,312	90	$78,125	$1,142/mo	$298,800
Avimor	1,289	118	$92,458	—	$544,200
Marsing	1,245	71	$57,973	$592/mo	$245,000
Robie Creek	1,240	116	$117,946	—	$524,400
Groveland	1,204	98	$71,268	$1,185/mo	$362,800
Hagerman	1,198	79	$59,250	$1,045/mo	$189,600
Carey	1,197	79	$50,938	$964/mo	$209,200
Greenleaf	1,152	108	$64,375	$1,552/mo	$339,600
Cottonwood	1,138	78	$56,250	$942/mo	$206,800
Wallace	1,127	73	$50,526	$731/mo	$219,200
Riverside	1,126	92	$103,125	—	$241,500
Kootenai	1,076	107	$69,457	$1,646/mo	$306,200
Plummer	1,055	74	$52,188	$934/mo	$163,800
Kamiah	1,053	65	$35,433	$532/mo	$202,800
Lapwai	1,041	69	$60,197	$967/mo	$114,000
Hazelton	988	63	$55,833	$635/mo	$148,400
Clark Fork	981	79	$60,625	$1,071/mo	$177,800
Cascade	978	93	$50,671	$1,065/mo	$350,000
Ririe	958	75	$64,273	$1,063/mo	$129,900
McCammon	910	77	$71,397	$875/mo	$238,900
Troy	908	84	$87,589	$958/mo	$270,800
Hayden Lake	901	154	$104,500	$2,036/mo	$706,900
Hauser	896	84	$67,868	$917/mo	$271,700
Franklin	880	95	$64,375	$1,205/mo	$318,200
Menan	863	92	$70,417	$1,313/mo	$249,300
Potlatch	849	79	$68,889	$935/mo	$226,100
Oakley	846	70	$93,333	$642/mo	$220,000
Arco	842	85	$31,023	—	$157,700
Athol	830	84	$62,946	$920/mo	$269,600
Council	824	71	$43,224	$828/mo	$165,600
Inkom	810	83	$81,528	$1,036/mo	$250,500
Challis	794	65	$50,034	$635/mo	$168,300
Teton	786	82	$77,667	$869/mo	$278,800
Clifton	774	77	$97,750	$692/mo	$286,500
Mullan	758	75	$51,094	$936/mo	$169,000
Horseshoe Bend	756	77	$54,236	$883/mo	$205,300
Downey	736	71	$46,000	$893/mo	$153,000
Georgetown	735	78	$68,438	$1,025/mo	$180,800
Mackay	719	67	$41,474	$631/mo	$187,500
Notus	709	88	$71,083	$1,170/mo	$242,600
Kooskia	683	70	$38,167	$758/mo	$174,500
Smelterville	670	67	$46,597	$825/mo	$117,600
Parker	643	87	$72,188	$1,135/mo	$249,500
Paris	634	78	$82,500	$862/mo	$235,700
Dover	628	120	$108,393	$1,141/mo	$644,400
Blanchard	625	96	$55,212	—	$282,500
Melba	624	88	$53,500	$993/mo	$306,000
Silverton	606	95	$95,524	—	$281,900
Arbon Valley	604	85	$64,188	—	$174,300
Juliaetta	586	71	$54,821	$646/mo	$252,100
Weston	586	93	$85,588	$1,125/mo	$315,500
Oldtown	572	79	$58,088	$848/mo	$260,700
Richfield	558	71	$59,375	$731/mo	$196,100
Idaho City	556	64	$41,111	$776/mo	$94,500
Nezperce	537	62	$59,063	$500/mo	$176,200
Roberts	534	59	$57,083	$481/mo	$154,200
Fairfield	519	80	$77,917	$1,050/mo	$195,200
Mud Lake	516	77	$65,000	$1,053/mo	$160,700
Newdale	515	98	$71,250	$1,375/mo	$291,700
Declo	514	82	$46,780	$1,063/mo	$218,200
Deary	511	81	$71,250	$1,000/mo	$225,400
Basalt	511	88	$75,375	$1,025/mo	$300,000
Craigmont	509	76	$56,818	$970/mo	$179,300
Dayton	496	86	$86,667	$1,000/mo	$275,000
Dubois	495	72	$48,333	$770/mo	$195,800
Lewisville	489	75	$70,417	$800/mo	$228,800
Pierce	465	72	$53,125	$850/mo	$171,700
Grand View	431	71	$39,583	$779/mo	$174,100
Culdesac	394	71	$46,250	$915/mo	$149,000
Weippe	382	61	$29,167	$625/mo	$113,000
Firth	381	70	$49,167	$718/mo	$197,900
Albion	371	81	$73,375	$958/mo	$240,000
Yellow Pine	369	97	$31,940	—	—
Tetonia	368	89	$63,125	$973/mo	$336,800
Eden	366	67	$31,346	$795/mo	$140,900
Garden Valley	364	86	$91,042	$938/mo	—
Dietrich	357	80	$71,667	$1,042/mo	$192,500
Hollister	353	73	$52,946	$1,022/mo	$126,000
Cambridge	336	82	$48,250	$1,010/mo	$234,700
Midvale	331	70	$48,281	$694/mo	$208,300
Arimo	329	88	$65,208	—	$202,000
Kendrick	324	74	$72,708	$954/mo	$179,800
Malta	321	84	$48,750	—	$145,600
Moore	319	88	$60,417	—	$201,800
Bancroft	313	79	$76,719	$1,075/mo	$167,400
New Meadows	311	83	$65,250	$933/mo	$275,000
Rockford Bay	308	155	$125,625	—	$981,300
Onaway	306	93	$73,571	—	$245,800
Rockford	305	92	$85,804	—	$237,500
Winchester	300	70	$43,125	$769/mo	$198,400
Elk City	270	102	$59,643	—	$356,700
Swan Valley	264	128	$92,750	—	$685,200
Hammett	258	78	$27,482	$1,065/mo	$160,600
East Hope	257	105	$91,250	$1,250/mo	$420,800
Bloomington	257	102	$81,667	—	$361,700
Irwin	253	100	$69,792	—	$346,000
Bliss	252	96	$67,250	—	—
Lava Hot Springs	251	76	$36,364	$843/mo	$241,100
Worley	249	77	$46,607	$1,028/mo	$139,600
Harrison	243	84	$95,417	$725/mo	$339,100
Riggins	236	81	$51,250	$667/mo	$347,300
Acequia	223	79	$51,042	—	$86,700
Huetter	219	82	$36,719	$855/mo	$271,200
Rockland	214	90	$51,417	—	$212,500
Crouch	212	105	$75,536	—	$388,900
Murphy	188	93	$75,521	—	$246,900
Peck	187	69	$55,455	$850/mo	$154,200
Ferdinand	182	69	$61,250	$613/mo	$215,400
Stites	171	64	$29,583	$725/mo	$117,600
Island Park	169	96	$74,750	—	$284,500
Sweetwater	168	86	$120,500	—	$190,500
Castleford	166	83	$44,167	$883/mo	—
Murtaugh	146	83	$58,750	—	$142,500
Leadore	145	80	$31,023	—	$88,300
Fernan Lake Village	138	123	$118,750	—	$598,700
Bovill	136	80	$34,750	—	$97,500
De Smet	134	68	$44,792	$920/mo	$94,200
Elk River	133	90	$63,125	—	$218,800
Minidoka	132	81	$41,875	—	$109,600
Conkling Park	131	124	$31,667	—	$606,400
Bennington	120	97	$101,058	—	—
Reubens	65	83	$73,125	—	$152,500
Parkline	62	83	$71,635	—	$111,500
Tensed	56	56	$25,833	$467/mo	$110,000
Smiths Ferry	53	97	$83,750	—	—
Oxford	48	96	$72,500	—	$281,300
Placerville	37	98	$78,750	—	—
Spencer	28	82	$70,972	—	$112,500