Idaho City is a small town of 673 in Idaho, with a median household income of $42,361
and a 6.0% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Idaho City stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Idaho City is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Idaho City 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: 93.4
Idaho City's overall cost of living index is 93.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Idaho City costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Idaho City, ID
National Avg
Median Home Value
$95,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$729
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
69.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$42,361
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Idaho City's violent crime rate is 357.6 per 100,000 residents
— 6% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
357.6 /100k
Property Crime
370.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Idaho City is served primarily by BASIN SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Idaho City, ID
National Avg
School District
BASIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.9:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
9.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.5%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Idaho City sees average highs of 35.3°F in January
and 87.1°F in July,
with 21.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 116.7 inches of snow per year.
Idaho City's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Idaho City roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $95,600 and median rent is $729/month.
Idaho City's violent crime rate is 357.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 370.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Idaho City are operated by BASIN SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9:1. 9.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Idaho City, ID has a population of 673, a median household income of $42,361, and an unemployment rate of 6.0%.
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.
Idaho City averages 35.3°F in January and 87.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 21.1 inches
with about 116.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Idaho City, ID is covered by 1 ZIP code: 83631.
The population of Idaho City, Idaho is 673 with a median age of 38.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Idaho City: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $95,600, median household income $42,361, crime index 64 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Idaho City side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.