Downtown Lapwai Idaho · Bobjgalindo / CC BY-SA 4.0First Presbyterian Church - Lapwai Idaho · Ian Poellet / CC BY-SA 4.0Nimiipuu Health Center Lapwai Idaho · Bobjgalindo / CC BY-SA 4.0
Lapwai is a small town of 1,310 in Idaho, with a median household income of $58,558
and a 9.6% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 87 (US average = 100), which is
13% below the national average.
Strengths:
Lapwai stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Lapwai is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Lapwai 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: 87.2
Lapwai's overall cost of living index is 87.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Lapwai costs roughly 13% less than the average American city.
Metric
Lapwai, ID
National Avg
Median Home Value
$110,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$924
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
57.4%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$58,558
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Lapwai's violent crime rate is 178.2 per 100,000 residents
— 53% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
178.2 /100k
Property Crime
1225.0 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Lapwai is served primarily by LAPWAI DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Lapwai, ID
National Avg
School District
LAPWAI DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
N/A
—
High Schools
1
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.4:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
17.9%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
91.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Lapwai sees average highs of 42.1°F in January
and 90.8°F in July,
with 21.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 12.7 inches of snow per year.
Lapwai's cost of living index is 87, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Lapwai roughly 13% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $110,100 and median rent is $924/month.
Lapwai's violent crime rate is 178.2 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1225.0 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Lapwai are operated by LAPWAI DISTRICT.
The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 17.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Lapwai, ID has a population of 1,310, a median household income of $58,558, and an unemployment rate of 9.6%.
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.
Lapwai averages 42.1°F in January and 90.8°F in July. Annual rainfall is 21.1 inches
with about 12.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Lapwai, Idaho is 1,310 with a median age of 28.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Lapwai: cost of living index 87 (100 = US average), median home $110,100, median household income $58,558, crime index 51 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Lapwai side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
