Safest Places to Live in Idaho

Idaho's violent crime rate sits at 2.54 incidents per 1,000 people, well below the national average of 4.43. Sixty-nine percent of Idahoans say they feel safe in the Gem State, the third-highest rate of any state in the country. That confidence is not accidental. It reflects a state where small-town accountability, low population density, and communities that look out for one another all play a real role. If you want mountain views, outdoor trails, and small-town calm without the late-night worry, check out Houzeo's list of the safest places to live in Idaho.

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Rankings: 10 Safest Places in Idaho

Kellogg, ID

How do you rate Kellogg?

Kellogg sits in Shoshone County in the Silver Valley and carries a small-town residential character shaped by its mining history and outdoor recreation identity. Population density is low, commercial activity is concentrated and m...

97/100

Safety Score

Why is Kellogg safe?

Personal Safety : 95

Personal Safety: 95/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

100%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

66.67%

Kidnapping / Abduction

Property Safety : 100

Property Safety: 100/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

100%

Larceny

100%

Motor Vehicle Theft

100%

Arson

Theft From Building

100%

Community Safety : 90

Community Safety: 90/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

85%

Stolen Property Offenses

100%

Vandalism

83.33%

Weapon Law Violations

50%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

86.67%

Home Prices in Kellogg

$280,000

Median Home Rent

$1,300

Homes for Sale in Kellogg Link

(View 62 homes)

Spirit Lake, ID

How do you rate Spirit Lake?

Spirit Lake keeps things simple. Low population density, minimal commercial activity, and a tight residential character shaped by the lake community it has always been naturally limit crime exposure across the town. Kootenai Count...

96/100

Safety Score

Why is Spirit Lake safe?

Personal Safety : 100

Personal Safety: 100/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

100%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

100%

Kidnapping / Abduction

Property Safety : 98

Property Safety: 98/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

100%

Larceny

83.33%

Motor Vehicle Theft

Arson

Theft From Building

100%

Community Safety : 72

Community Safety: 72/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

75%

Stolen Property Offenses

100%

Vandalism

93.75%

Weapon Law Violations

100%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

65%

Home Prices in Spirit Lake

$499,900

Median Home Rent

$1,000

Homes for Sale in Spirit Lake Link

(View 74 homes)

Priest River, ID

How do you rate Priest River?

Priest River sits in Bonner County along the Pend Oreille River. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime here is 1 in 927, well below the national figure. A small, rural population, high homeownership, and limited commerc...

93/100

Safety Score

Why is Priest River safe?

Personal Safety : 100

Personal Safety: 100/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

100%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

100%

Kidnapping / Abduction

100%

Property Safety : 86

Property Safety: 86/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

100%

Larceny

75%

Motor Vehicle Theft

66.67%

Arson

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 65

Community Safety: 65/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

15.38%

Stolen Property Offenses

Vandalism

28.57%

Weapon Law Violations

66.67%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

100%

Home Prices in Priest River

$385,000

Median Home Rent

$1,140

Homes for Sale in Priest River Link

(View 160 homes)

Rexburg, ID

How do you rate Rexburg?

Rexburg has held a place among the safest cities in Idaho for several consecutive years according to FBI data, with a violent crime rate well below the national average. It sits in Madison County in eastern Idaho, anchored by a st...

92/100

Safety Score

Why is Rexburg safe?

Personal Safety : 98

Personal Safety: 98/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

100%

Rape

100%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

28.57%

Kidnapping / Abduction

Property Safety : 87

Property Safety: 87/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

70.59%

Larceny

135

29.69%

Motor Vehicle Theft

62.5%

Arson

100%

Theft From Building

35.48%

Community Safety : 84

Community Safety: 84/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

4.44%

Stolen Property Offenses

Vandalism

142

121.88%

Weapon Law Violations

150%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

29.58%

Home Prices in Rexburg

$350,000

Median Home Rent

$1,200

Homes for Sale in Rexburg Link

(View 251 homes)

Rigby, ID

How do you rate Rigby?

Rigby is the seat of Jefferson County and keeps violent crime well below both Idaho and national averages, with FBI data placing its violent crime rate roughly 80% below the national figure. The overall crime rate sits nearly 59% ...

84/100

Safety Score

Why is Rigby safe?

Personal Safety : 85

Personal Safety: 85/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

100%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

30%

Kidnapping / Abduction

Property Safety : 85

Property Safety: 85/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

75%

Larceny

5.56%

Motor Vehicle Theft

100%

Arson

100%

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 49

Community Safety: 49/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

225%

Stolen Property Offenses

50%

Vandalism

52.94%

Weapon Law Violations

80%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

Home Prices in Rigby

$290,000

Median Home Rent

$1,516

Homes for Sale in Rigby Link

(View 283 homes)

Sandpoint, ID

How do you rate Sandpoint?

Sandpoint sits on Lake Pend Oreille in Bonner County and offers a scenic residential environment in one of North Idaho's most established small cities. The overall community feel is one that long-term residents describe as safe an...

80/100

Safety Score

Why is Sandpoint safe?

Personal Safety : 92

Personal Safety: 92/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

25%

Kidnapping / Abduction

100%

Property Safety : 67

Property Safety: 67/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

35.29%

Larceny

18.52%

Motor Vehicle Theft

37.5%

Arson

100%

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 44

Community Safety: 44/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

58.82%

Stolen Property Offenses

50%

Vandalism

50%

Weapon Law Violations

60%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

9.52%

Home Prices in Sandpoint

$592,500

Median Home Rent

$1,995

Homes for Sale in Sandpoint Link

(View 388 homes)

Shelley, ID

How do you rate Shelley?

Shelley sits in Bingham County about ten miles south of Idaho Falls and consistently ranks among the safest areas to live in Idaho according to FBI data and SafeWise safety rankings. Violent crime runs well below the national aver...

77/100

Safety Score

Why is Shelley safe?

Personal Safety : 67

Personal Safety: 67/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

75%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

28.57%

Kidnapping / Abduction

100%

Property Safety : 82

Property Safety: 82/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

43.75%

Larceny

45.16%

Motor Vehicle Theft

100%

Arson

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 53

Community Safety: 53/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

39.39%

Stolen Property Offenses

Vandalism

59.09%

Weapon Law Violations

500%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

52.38%

Home Prices in Shelley

$493,500

Median Home Rent

$1,125

Homes for Sale in Shelley Link

(View 97 homes)

Rathdrum, ID

How do you rate Rathdrum?

Few Kootenai County cities can point to year-over-year decreases in both violent and property crime the way Rathdrum can. The Rathdrum Police Department has built that record through sustained community effort rather than circumst...

75/100

Safety Score

Why is Rathdrum safe?

Personal Safety : 67

Personal Safety: 67/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

300%

Robbery

100%

Aggravated Assault

100%

Kidnapping / Abduction

100%

Property Safety : 78

Property Safety: 78/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

11.76%

Larceny

2.38%

Motor Vehicle Theft

20%

Arson

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 59

Community Safety: 59/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

1.52%

Stolen Property Offenses

100%

Vandalism

11.76%

Weapon Law Violations

55.56%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

124

20%

Home Prices in Rathdrum

$504,000

Median Home Rent

$2,195

Homes for Sale in Rathdrum Link

(View 343 homes)

Bonners Ferry, ID

How do you rate Bonners Ferry?

Bonners Ferry is the seat of Boundary County in Idaho's far northern Panhandle, with a small, rural population and a tight community identity that shapes daily residential life. The Bonners Ferry Police Department and Boundary Cou...

73/100

Safety Score

Why is Bonners Ferry safe?

Personal Safety : 53

Personal Safety: 53/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

50%

Robbery

Aggravated Assault

50%

Kidnapping / Abduction

100%

Property Safety : 87

Property Safety: 87/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

66.67%

Larceny

19.05%

Motor Vehicle Theft

Arson

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 42

Community Safety: 42/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

5.56%

Stolen Property Offenses

Vandalism

Weapon Law Violations

Drug / Narcotic Violations

53.7%

Home Prices in Bonners Ferry

$465,000

Median Home Rent

$1,300

Homes for Sale in Bonners Ferry Link

(View 129 homes)

#10

Post Falls, ID

How do you rate Post Falls?

Post Falls keeps violent crime below both the Idaho state average and the national average according to FBI data, a meaningful distinction for a city of its size and growth rate. Daily violent crime rates are less than half the na...

69/100

Safety Score

Why is Post Falls safe?

Personal Safety : 71

Personal Safety: 71/100

based on following Violent Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Homicide

Rape

100%

Robbery

60%

Aggravated Assault

9.84%

Kidnapping / Abduction

60%

Property Safety : 77

Property Safety: 77/100

based on following Property Crimes

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Burglary

45.24%

Larceny

254

3.25%

Motor Vehicle Theft

40.91%

Arson

200%

Theft From Building

Community Safety : 40

Community Safety: 40/100

based on following Other Offenses

Crime Type

Incidents

YoY Change (%)

Simple Assault

276

22.67%

Stolen Property Offenses

28.57%

Vandalism

167

1.18%

Weapon Law Violations

61.9%

Drug / Narcotic Violations

273

8.39%

Home Prices in Post Falls

$567,704

Median Home Rent

$2,000

Homes for Sale in Post Falls Link

(View 343 homes)

Your New Home is Waiting for You in Idaho

Top 3 Safest Places to Live for Retirees in Idaho

Top 3 Safest Cities to Live for Families in Idaho

Top 3 Safest Cities to Live for Young Adults in Idaho

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Ranking Methodology

To determine the safest places to live, we applied a structured, data-driven methodology using verified crime and public safety datasets. Our analysis incorporates violent crime rates and property crime rates (FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program), local law enforcement staffing levels, community safety investment scores, and resident-reported safety data. Each factor was normalized against the Idaho state average to control for population size and regional differences. The combined metrics were then weighted and aggregated to produce a final Safety Score out of 100, highlighting cities where crime rates are significantly below the state baseline and community safety infrastructure is strongest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Idaho Safe?

Idaho's violent crime rate sits at 2.54 per 1,000 people, well below the national average of 4.43. Nearly 69% of residents say they feel safe living here, the third highest confidence level in the country. This confidence comes from communities where people know their neighbors, and local accountability is a part of how things work day to day.

How Does Idaho's Crime Rate Compare to the National Average?

Idaho's violent crime rate of 2.54 per 1,000 residents sits significantly below the national average of 4.43, placing it among the safer states in the country by that measure. Across its safest cities, that gap widens further, with communities like Rigby recording violent crime rates roughly 80% below the national figure according to the most recent FBI reporting data.

Where to Live in Idaho for Safety and Security?

Cities like Rigby, Rathdrum, Rexburg, and Post Falls consistently rank among Idaho's safest according to FBI data, with violent crime rates well below both state and national averages. Each offers a distinct lifestyle, from eastern Idaho's agricultural calm to North Idaho's lakeside scenery. It gives residents real options depending on whether they prioritize schools, outdoor access, affordability, or proximity to employment.

What Makes Small Idaho Cities Safer Than Larger Urban Areas?

Small Idaho cities like Rigby, Rathdrum, and Spirit Lake benefit from low population density, high homeownership rates, and tight community familiarity that naturally limits crime exposure. Limited commercial foot traffic and consistent law enforcement coverage all contribute to incident counts that stay well below national figures.

Is Idaho a Good Place to Retire Safely?

Idaho ranks among the safer states in the country, with a violent crime rate well below the national average and nearly 69% of residents reporting that they feel safe. Cities like Rexburg, Rigby, and Rathdrum offer retirees low incident rates, affordable housing, healthcare access, and an unhurried community pace that is difficult to find at comparable price points elsewhere in the West.

How to buy a house in Idaho in a safe area?

To understand how to buy a house in Idaho, compare crime rates and home prices in cities like Rexburg and Meridian. Check FBI crime data and local police reports. Secure financing, choose a safe neighborhood, and review property details before closing.

Which cities are considered the cheapest in Idaho?

Popular affordable options include Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls. These cities offer lower home prices, good amenities, and strong community appeal. You can explore a full list of cheapest places to live in Idaho to find the best fit for your budget.

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