Cost of Living in Idaho

By Jacqueline DeMarco

(Last Updated – 07/2026)

People can’t seem to get enough of those Idaho potatoes. Why is that? According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, Idaho’s population grew at a rate of 10.4% over the last five years. Compared to the percent population growth across the entire country, which was just 3.1% during that same period, Idaho is growing by leaps and bounds.

Even though it has just over 2 million residents, Idaho still only averages around 22 people per square mile. Compared to California, which hosts nearly 254 residents per square mile on average, Idaho is roomy!

Take a closer look at what it costs to build a life in the Gem State.

What’s the Average Cost of Living in Idaho?

Average Cost of Living in Idaho: $48,098 per year

If you move to Idaho, you won’t be looking at a particularly expensive or particularly affordable lifestyle. According to the most recent Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) data collected from the annual Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) survey, Idaho has the 33rd-lowest cost of living in the United States.

For a lower cost of living, you might want to head to Utah, which ranked 30th on MERIC’s list, or to Wyoming, which has the 20th lowest cost of living, per the C2ER survey.

While these rankings give a general idea of how expensive a state is to live in, you may still wonder: What is the average cost of living in Idaho?

You can expect to spend about $48,098 a year on total personal consumption, according to recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is how that lump sum breaks down:

That’s about $4,008 in average monthly expenses for each Idahoan.

Housing Costs in Idaho

Average Housing Costs in Idaho: $1,057 to $2,222 per month

Housing is likely your biggest ongoing expense, no matter what state you live in. The typical Idaho home value was about $482,012 in April 2026, compared with a typical U.S. home value of $368,198 nationwide, according to Zillow.

Home sales in Idaho have settled down from a frenzied pace in mid-2021, when nearly 35% of homes sold above list price (an indicator that they received multiple offers). As of April 2026, just 14% of homes sold above list price, showing a less competitive housing market, per Redfin data.

Whether you own or rent, as well as how large your rental is, can affect how much you’ll spend monthly. Here’s what that spending might look like, according to the most recent census data:

•  Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,687

•  Median studio rent: $1,089

•  Median one-bedroom rent: $1,057

•  Median two-bedroom rent: $1,275

•  Median three-bedroom rent: $1,686

•  Median four-bedroom rent: $1,838

•  Median five-bedroom (or more) rent: $2,222

•  Median gross rent: $1,384

The specific area of Idaho you live in can also affect how much you’ll spend. These are the typical home values for some of Idaho’s major cities, according to recent Zillow data:

Utility Costs in Idaho

Average Utility Costs in Idaho: $359 per month

Another ongoing expense you need to budget for is utilities. This is what that spending may look like in an average month in Idaho:

Groceries & Beverage Spending

Average Grocery & Beverage Costs in Idaho: $319 per person, per month

How much should you anticipate spending on food in Idaho?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Idaho’s average annual (nonrestaurant) food cost is $3,830 per person, so that’s about $319 a month.

The Council for Community and Economic Research ranks the food costs in major American cities. The only Idaho cities researchers examined were Boise and Twin Falls. To put that data in some perspective, here are grocery item index scores from major cities in neighboring states. These are their respective grocery costs ranking using the most recent data:

Transportation

Average Transportation Costs in Idaho: $10,021 to $18,819 per year

How much you’ll spend getting around each year is affected by where you live and what your or your family’s transportation needs are.

Here’s a glimpse at what it may cost to get from place to place in Idaho, according to the most recent data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator:

Health Care

Average Health Care Costs in Idaho: $8,078 per person, per year

Health care is a major expense in every state in the country. In Idaho, the average annual cost of health care is $8,078 per person, according to the most recent Bureau of Economic Analysis Personal Consumption Expenditures by State report.

How much you would actually spend depends on location, medical needs, and coverage.

Child Care

Average Child Care Costs in Idaho: $728 to $1,002 per child, per month

Funding child care is a challenge for many parents, which isn’t surprising when you can spend around $1,000 a month on child care in states such as Idaho.

Residents who need help financing child care in Idaho can look into the Idaho Child Care Program, which pays part of child care costs for eligible working families.

These are the average child care costs in Idaho, according to the most recent data from CostofChildCare.org:

Taxes

Highest Marginal Tax Rate in Idaho: 5.30%

As of January 1, 2026, Idaho assesses a flat rate of 5.30% on taxable income, according to the Tax Foundation’s State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets.

Idaho’s flat rate of 5.3% is the highest among the current flat tax states, of which there are 15. The most recent ranking of State Tax Competitiveness puts Idaho ninth among the most competitive tax systems.

High taxes do compel folks to seek greener pastures. In fact, in the last fiscal year, Idaho was the sixth most popular destination for Americans moving to new states where the taxes were lower.

Miscellaneous Costs

Now that you know what it costs to live in Idaho, check out what it costs to have some fun in this state.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis says personal expenditures for the average Idahoan are $24,664 per year. Here’s where some of that spending may be going (costs are accurate as of June 2026):

•  Visit historic lava flow sites, caves, and more at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in Arco, Idaho: $10-$20 a day, for seven consecutive days, for a group entering in a single private vehicle

•  A 25-minute narrated ferryboat tour of the Snake River near Idaho Falls: $8-$40, varies by weight (free for kids under 30 pounds)

•  A trip to Zoo Boise to get up close with the animals: $0 to $15, depending on age

•  A weekday lift ticket at Schweitzer Mountain near Sandpoint: $72 (ages 7-17), $120 (ages 18-64), $108 (ages 65-79)

•  Trick a friend with an optical illusion for dessert and try an ice cream potato at the Westside Drive In, located in Boise: $6.99

Recommended: What Are the Average Monthly Expenses for One Person?

How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Idaho?

What it means to live “comfortably” in Idaho will depend on your lifestyle, income, family size, and more. That said, you can get a general idea of how accessible living comfortably is in each state.

Idaho ranks 21st in the U.S. News & World Report’s Affordability Rankings, which measures the average cost of living in each state against the average amount of money most households have there. The state came out higher on the magazine’s overall ranking, however, as the third best state overall.

MERIC viewed the affordability in Idaho less favorably, ranking the state as having the 33rd lowest cost of living in the United States.

What Major City Has the Lowest Cost of Living in Idaho?

When looking at Idaho, the Council for Community and Economic Research focused on Boise and Twin Falls in their affordability study. Here’s how the two cities stack up.

Twin Falls

Located in the Magic Valley of south central Idaho, Twin Falls city has a population of around 57,000 residents, though the broader Twin Falls Metro area, which includes Jerome County, is estimated at 125,000. The composite cost-of-living score here is 95.3, with a median home sale price of $366,000, making this growing city a top choice among those seeking to relocate in the state. The presence of a large community college and several state universities means that its tight-knit, small-town values are tempered by a surprising degree of diversity.

Boise

The housing market in Boise is somewhat competitive, but the cost-of-living index of 103.2 could be considered tame for a big city. Boise, the state capital, is a beautiful and outdoorsy city with around 238,400 residents, and downtown abounds with coffee shops, craft breweries, and trendy eateries. Beyond the business of state government, Boise is also home to historical sites, art museums, botanical gardens, and outdoor recreation in the mountains or on the Boise River, which runs through town.