Cost of Living in Sun Valley, ID

With a cost of living index of 166, Sun Valley, ID is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 66% more expensive than the national average and 79% above the Idaho state average of 87. Sun Valley is a small community of 1,383 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Sun Valley's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,114 (60% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $845,600 (177% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 10.3x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Sun Valley is $82,045, which is 9% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 31% of household income on rent. This exceeds the recommended 30% threshold, meaning many renters here are cost-burdened.

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.