Slower Sundays
Find my cities

Cost of living in Idaho

Everyday prices in Idaho run 4.5% below the US average, the 23rd lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Idaho cities we cover

Cheapest first. Tap one for monthly costs, weather and flights.1,2,4

Idaho next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
IdahoUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Idaho?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$87,840
Typical household incomeA year · 23rd highest of 51
20%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,438/mo) against median income ($87,840). 26th lowest of 51.
6.8
Years of income to buy a home$593,000 median listing against $87,840 income. 46th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Idaho?

19,915 more people moved to Idaho from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Metro areas in Idaho

Cheapest first. Tap one for its full cost of living.1,4,2
Price levelUS averageShorter bar = cheaper, longer = pricier
  1. 1Boise, ID2% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,652
    Typical home
    $609,925
    Mortgage
    $3,352/mo

Idaho next to its neighbors

The states that border Idaho, on the same measures. The number is each state's national rank on everyday prices.1,4,2
  1. 16Wyoming7% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,035
    Typical home
    $496,500
    Net moves
    +1,474
  2. 22Montana5% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,281
    Typical home
    $635,000
    Net moves
    +6,348
  3. 23IdahoThis state5% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,438
    Typical home
    $593,000
    Net moves
    +19,915
  4. 31Utah1% cheaper than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,579
    Typical home
    $579,000
    Net moves
    +3,343
Show 3 more
  1. 34NevadaAbout the US average
    2-bed rent
    $1,644
    Typical home
    $480,000
    Net moves
    +14,914
  2. 40Oregon3% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,650
    Typical home
    $550,000
    Net moves
    +2,228
  3. 46Washington7% pricier than average
    2-bed rent
    $1,885
    Typical home
    $639,475
    Net moves
    +9,238

Idaho by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Idaho next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Idaho95.590.0$593,000$3,259$1,438
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Idaho cities we cover

CityTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rentPrice level
Boise$609,925$3,352$1,65298.4

Metro areas in Idaho

MetroPrice level2-bedroom rentTypical home
Boise, ID98.4$1,652$609,925

Idaho next to its neighbors

StatePrice level2-bedroom rentTypical homeNet moves from other states
Idaho95.5$1,438$593,000+19,915
Montana94.6$1,281$635,000+6,348
Nevada100.0$1,644$480,000+14,914
Oregon103.4$1,650$550,000+2,228
Utah98.9$1,579$579,000+3,343
Washington107.0$1,885$639,475+9,238
Wyoming92.7$1,035$496,500+1,474

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20+30,283
2020-21+52,350
2021-22+28,019
2022-23+14,713
2023-24+15,975
2024-25+19,915

States with a similar cost of living to Idaho

Keep comparing

Idaho cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Idaho?

Everyday prices in Idaho run 4.5% below the US average, the 23rd lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 90.0 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $593,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $3,259 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,438 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $127,254 in Idaho.

Is Idaho cheap or expensive to live in?

Cheaper than average. Idaho's regional price parity is 95.5, so the same basket of goods, services and rent costs 4.5% less than the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Idaho?

The median listed home in Idaho is $593,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 44th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $3,259 a month.

How much is rent in Idaho?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Idaho is $1,438 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Idaho equals $150,000 in New York?

About $127,254, using BEA regional price parities for Idaho (95.5) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Idaho?

19,915 more people moved to Idaho from other states than left between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Which Idaho cities do you cover?

Boise ($609,925). Each has its own page with monthly costs, weather and flights.

Find the cities that fit your family

Answer a few quick questions and get your shortlist, ranked on what you care about. Free, no account.

Find my cities
Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page