What are the schools like in Challis, ID?

Challis is served primarily by CHALLIS JOINT DISTRICT. The district operates 2 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1.

What is the median household income in Challis?

The median household income in Challis, ID is $35,921 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 1.3%.

What is the weather like in Challis, ID?

Challis has an average high temperature of 29.2°F in January and 86.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 6.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 18.3 inches.

Challis, ID Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Challis, ID affordable or expensive?

Challis's cost of living index is 89, where 100 represents the national average. This means Challis is 11% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $181,600 and the median rent is $592 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Challis, ID?

Challis has a violent crime rate of 856.5 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 963.6 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Challis, ID a Good Place to Live?

Challis is a small town of 840 in Idaho, with a median household income of $35,921 and a 1.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is 11% below the national average.

Strengths: Challis stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index. Whether Challis is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Challis city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 88.7

Challis's overall cost of living index is 88.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Challis costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.

Metric	Challis, ID	National Avg
Median Home Value	$181,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$592	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	53.7%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$35,921	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Higher than Average

Challis's violent crime rate is 856.5 per 100,000 residents — 125% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

856.5 /100k

Property Crime

963.6 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Challis is served primarily by CHALLIS JOINT DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Challis, ID	National Avg
School District	CHALLIS JOINT DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	24.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	92.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Challis sees average highs of 29.2°F in January and 86.9°F in July, with 6.9 inches of annual precipitation and 18.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Challis, ID
Average High — January	29.2°F
Average High — July	86.9°F
Annual Precipitation	6.9"
Annual Snowfall	18.3"

Demographics

Metric	Challis, ID	National Avg
Population	840	—
Median Age	38.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	1.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	10.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	87.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	8.1%	18.9%
Asian	0.1%	6.3%
Under 18	29.4%	22.2%
65 and over	12.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Clayton, ID 19 mi Stanley, ID 40 mi Leadore, ID 44 mi Salmon, ID 49 mi Mackay, ID 51 mi

ZIP Codes in Challis

Challis, ID is covered by 1 ZIP code:

83226

Challis vs Other Cities

Challis, ID vs Clayton, ID Challis, ID vs Stanley, ID Challis, ID vs Leadore, ID Challis, ID vs Salmon, ID Challis, ID vs Mackay, ID

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Challis, ID affordable or expensive?

Challis's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average. That makes Challis roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $181,600 and median rent is $592/month.

What is the crime rate in Challis, ID?

Challis's violent crime rate is 856.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 963.6 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Challis?

Public schools in Challis are operated by CHALLIS JOINT DISTRICT. The district has 2 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1. 24.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Challis, ID a good place to live?

Challis, ID has a population of 840, a median household income of $35,921, and an unemployment rate of 1.3%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Challis?

Challis averages 29.2°F in January and 86.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 6.9 inches with about 18.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Challis?

Challis, ID is covered by 1 ZIP code: 83226.

What is the population of Challis?

The population of Challis, Idaho is 840 with a median age of 38.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Challis?

Key numbers for living in Challis: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $181,600, median household income $35,921, crime index 154 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Challis side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.