Cost of Living in Idaho (ID)
Compare costs across 7 Idaho cities. From home services to salaries, see how ID stacks up against the national average.
7
Cities
96
Avg Cost Index
$54K
Avg Income
Direct Answer
Idaho's average cost index is 96, which is near the national baseline of 100. Pocatello is the most affordable tracked city in ID at index 86, while Boise is the most expensive at index 104.
The gap between the cheapest and most expensive tracked cities is 18 index points, so state-level averages should be used as a map, not a final budget.
State cost overviewBLS, Census, HUD inputsLast verified May 2026
Idaho Highlights: Most affordable city: Pocatello (index 86). Most expensive: Boise (index 104). The gap between cheapest and most expensive is 18 index points.
What Drives the Statewide Cost Picture?
Average index
96/100
Idaho is near the national cost baseline across tracked cities.
Cheapest city
Pocatello
Pocatello has a cost index of 86.
Most expensive
Boise
Boise has a cost index of 104.
Income average
$54K
Average median household income across 7 tracked ID cities.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Cities in Idaho
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Income | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | 236K | 104 | $62K | mid |
| Meridian | 118K | 102 | $72K | mid |
| Nampa | 109K | 96 | $51K | mid |
| Idaho Falls | 65K | 90 | $53K | small |
| Pocatello | 56K | 86 | $45K | small |
| Coeur d'Alene | 55K | 104 | $50K | small |
| Twin Falls | 53K | 90 | $47K | small |
Idaho State Taxes (2026)
Headline tax rates that affect your real take-home pay and total cost of living in Idaho.
State Income Tax
5.8%
flat system
Combined Sales Tax
6.03%
6% state + 0.03% avg local
Property Tax (Effective)
0.69%
~$2,070/yr on a $300K home
Income tax: Idaho uses a flat income tax at 5.8%. No state estate tax. Estimate your take-home pay
State Planning Checklist
- Start with Pocatello if the priority is lowest recurring cost inside Idaho.
- Compare Boise against salary and tax advantages before assuming the higher-cost city is worse.
- Use city pages for rent, salary, insurance, and local service costs before making a relocation decision.