Americans love Idaho! And why wouldn’t you? From scenic mountain landscapes to gems and mining, the Gem State has got it all.
In Q3 2023, Idaho’s economy grew 7%, higher than the US overall. The median home value for Idaho is $483,300. For a rich cultural experience, Boise and Moscow are some of the best places to live.
People are attracted to move here because of the expanding economy, accessible housing, and high-quality education. Also, the state’s cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. Let’s explore the best places to live in Idaho.
Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in ID
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Find Homes in Some of the Best Places in ID
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3 Reasons to Live in Idaho 🥔
- Excellent Job Growth: Idaho expects to add 25,000 more jobs by 2025 taking a total to 900,000.
- Booming Industries: Retail trade and information were the major contributors to Idaho’s economy contributing 29.2% and 21% of the total growth, respectively.
- Ample Recreational opportunities: Idaho boasts of some of the most scenic mountains, lakes, and valleys, allowing people to enjoy activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, etc.
Best Places to Live in Idaho in 2024
| # | City | Population | Median Home Price | Monthly Expenses | Unemployment Rate | Community Well-Being Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Meridian | 119,872 | $517,000 | $8,517 | 3.4% | 65/100 |
| 2. | Boise | 234,192 | $467,500 | $8,223 | 3.7% | 59/100 |
| 3. | Idaho Falls | 65,685 | $390,000 | $7,428 | 3.4% | 57/100 |
| 4. | Pocatello | 56,582 | $299,900 | $6,960 | 3.9% | 49/100 |
| 5. | Coeur d'Alene | 54,599 | $497,000 | $7,952 | 5.0% | 56/100 |
| 6. | Twin falls | 52,315 | $365,000 | $7,339 | 4.0% | 54/100 |
| 7. | Nampa | 102,598 | $402,844 | $7,650 | 3.7% | 50/100 |
1. Meridian: Best Place to Live in Idaho for Families
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.2% |
| Median Income | $93,296 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,517 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
With a population increase of 56% between 2010 and 2020, Meridian is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US. The city is at a drivable distance from lakes, mountains, and deserts due to which it offers abundant outdoor recreational activities like trekking, hiking, fishing, etc.
The median home price is 28% more as compared to the national average of $402,242. Besides that, Meridian can be one of the best places to live in Idaho for families as it has the largest school district with over 35,000 students. The cost of living is 13.4% above the national average.
In addition, construction, consumer goods, and hotel management are among the top sectors of employment with major employers like Hill Construction Company and Scentsy.
» Homes For Sale in Meridian, ID: Find your home in this vibrant city.
2. Boise: Best Place in Idaho for Young Adults
| Home Value | ⬆️ 1.8% |
| Median Income | $76,402 |
| Monthly Expenses | $8,223 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
The state capital has it all, from good schools to great employment opportunities, making it one of the best places to live in Idaho. The median home price is 16% more than the national average. The cost of living is just 5% above the national average.
Moreover, Boise is big on art and culture. Enthusiasts can visit the Egyptian Theatre and enjoy their time at the Boise Art Museum making it one of the best places to live in Idaho for young adults.
Besides this, the major employment sectors include healthcare, IT, and power with employers like Idaho Power, Healthwise, Micron Technology, etc.
» Homes For Sale in Boise, ID: View thousands of property listings in the City of Trees.
3. Idaho Falls: Ideal Place to Live in Idaho for Working Professionals
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.6% |
| Median Income | $66,463 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,428 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
The heart of eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls is the commercial epicenter of the state. Scientech, Idahoan, Mountain View Hospital, etc. are among the top recruiters in the city across various sectors like IT, healthcare, and food production.
The median home price is 3% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 16% below the national average. Besides that, the city is home to Idaho State University and Eastern Idaho Technical University which contribute to the educational prospects of the city.
» Homes For Sale in Idaho Falls, ID: Browse thousands of homes in one of the best cities to live in Idaho.
4. Pocatello: Most Affordable Place to Live in Idaho
| Home Value | ⬆️ 4.5% |
| Median Income | $56,115 |
| Monthly Expenses | $6,960 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% |
A hotspot for outdoor recreational activities, Pocatello rests amidst the Portneuf Range and Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Enthusiasts can enjoy activities like biking, trekking, and hiking.
Pocatello is one of the cheapest places to live in Idaho. The median home price is 25% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 15.5% lower than the state average.
Besides that, Pocatello boasts of the Idaho State University which offers more than 280 educational programs. A few popular programs include science and engineering, business, and health science.
In addition, Idaho State University, Farm Bureau of Mutual Insurance Company, and AMI semiconductors are among the top employers across sectors like education, semiconductor manufacturing, and insurance.
» Homes For Sale in Pocatello, ID: Find homes in the Gateway to the North West.
5. Coeur d’Alene: Best Place in Idaho for a Luxurious Lifestyle
| Home Value | ⬇️ 1.0% |
| Median Income | $65,786 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,952 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% |
Coeur d’Alene or CDA offers a resort-like lifestyle with serene views of the lake surrounding the whole city. Due to its location, the city offers outdoor activities like fishing and boating. Besides that, tourism and hospitality are the major contributing sectors of the economy.
CDA offers luxurious living due to its laid-back living culture. The median home price is 35% above the national average and the cost of living is 15.9% above the national average.
» Homes For Sale in Coeur d’Alene, ID: View thousands of property listings in the Lake City.
6. Twin Falls: Best City to Retire in Idaho
| Home Value | ⬆️ 0.1% |
| Median Income | $58,024 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,339 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% |
Twin Falls is the best place to live in Idaho for retirees. The city offers a tight-knit community of people over 65, such individuals account for 12.9% of the total population of the city. Moreover, the city boasts natural scenic waterfalls and offers recreational activities.
The median home price in Twin Falls is 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living is 7% below the national average. Besides this, residents can enjoy serene views of Snake River Canyon and Shoshone Falls.
In addition, education and manufacturing are the major industries with top employers like Glanbia Foods, Twin Falls School District 411, Xavier Charter School, etc.
» Homes For Sale in Twin Falls, ID: View thousands of listings in one of the best cities in Idaho.
7. Nampa: One of the Fastest Growing Cities of Idaho
| Home Value | ⬇️ 0.4% |
| Median Income | $67,346 |
| Monthly Expenses | $7,650 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% |
Nampa is big on agriculture, due to its fertile land, generations of families have earned a livelihood. This is one of the reasons for the faster economic growth of the city.
The median home price is almost the same as the national average of $402,242. The cost of living is 0.9% lower than the state average.
Besides that, health and fitness, sports and entertainment, and manufacturing are the major industries with top employers like The AIM Companies, House Film Design, Ford Idaho Center, etc.
» Homes For Sale in Nampa, ID: View thousands of listings in the Heart of Treasure Valley.
Bottom Line
Idaho is the best place to live in the US due to its thriving job market and low cost of living. Other things that contribute are its excellent employment market and outdoor recreational opportunities.
The Gem State is ranked as the 6th happiest state in the US. The median home price is around $484K, however, it is inconsistent throughout the state, starting in a ballpark of $300K and going up to millions. So, you must do your research before you move to Idaho.
To start your home search, browse properties online.
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Research Methodology
We considered different regions to rank the best places to live in Idaho. The comparison criteria for the best cities to live in Idaho and the information sources are as follows:
- Population: Idaho Demographics Report [1]
- Median Home Price: Zillow[2] and Redfin[3]
- Median Household Income: United States Census Bureau[4]
- Monthly Expenses: Economic Policy Institute[5]
- Unemployment Rate: US Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] and Idaho State Archives[7]
- Community Well-Being Score: Community Well-Being Index by Sharecare[8]
Additionally, we have listed the good places to live in Idaho for varying demographics. These include the best places to live for families, young adults, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best place to live in Idaho for weather?
Coeur d'Alene is the best place to live in Idaho for weather. The city is surrounded by the lake offering serene views and pleasant and soothing weather.
What are the most affordable places to live in Idaho?
Burley, Pocatello, and Blackfoot are some of the most affordable places to live in Idaho. The median home price in these cities is around $300K, which is significantly less than the national average.
What are the safest places to live in Idaho?
Meridian and Coeur d'Alene are on the list of the top 10 safest cities in Idaho, ranking at 5th and 10th position, respectively.
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