Cost of Living in Priest River, ID

With a cost of living index of 77, Priest River, ID is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 23% cheaper than the national average and 10% below the Idaho state average of 87. Priest River is a small community of 2,058 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Priest River's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $748 (43% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $271,500 (11% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4.7x the median household income — a stretch for many buyers, though not uncommon in today's market.

The median household income in Priest River is $57,712, which is 23% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 16% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.