Best Places to Live in Idaho
The most affordable, safest, and highest-income cities across 237 Idaho cities — ranked from official data.
Choosing where to live in Idaho comes down to a few trade-offs — cost of living, safety, income, and schools. The rankings below pull those out from U.S. Census, FBI, and NCES data so you can see the standouts at a glance, then drill into any city or put two side by side.
Most Affordable Cities in Idaho
Lowest cost of living index (100 = U.S. average · lower is cheaper).
| # | City | Cost of Living | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho Falls | 90 | 65,685 |
| 2 | Boise City | 93 | 234,192 |
| 3 | Meridian | 93 | 119,872 |
| 4 | Nampa | 93 | 102,598 |
| 5 | Caldwell | 93 | 61,212 |
Safest Cities in Idaho
Lowest crime index (100 = U.S. average · lower is safer). Limited to cities with complete FBI reporting.
| # | City | Crime Index | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meridian | 34 | 119,872 |
| 2 | Coeur d'Alene | 56 | 54,599 |
| 3 | Boise City | 68 | 234,192 |
| 4 | Nampa | 70 | 102,598 |
| 5 | Idaho Falls | 79 | 65,685 |
| 6 | Pocatello | 84 | 56,582 |
| 7 | Twin Falls | 87 | 52,315 |
| 8 | Caldwell | 90 | 61,212 |
Highest-Income Cities in Idaho
Highest median household income (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).
| # | City | Median Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meridian | $93,296 | 119,872 |
| 2 | Boise City | $76,402 | 234,192 |
| 3 | Nampa | $67,346 | 102,598 |
| 4 | Idaho Falls | $66,463 | 65,685 |
| 5 | Coeur d'Alene | $65,786 | 54,599 |
| 6 | Caldwell | $65,259 | 61,212 |
| 7 | Twin Falls | $58,024 | 52,315 |
| 8 | Pocatello | $56,115 | 56,582 |
Best School Districts in Idaho
Highest school-quality grade (student-teacher ratio, adult attainment, and graduation data where available).
| # | City | School Grade | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | B+ | 234,192 |
| 2 | Meridian | B | 119,872 |
| 3 | Pocatello | B- | 56,582 |
| 4 | Coeur d'Alene | B- | 54,599 |
| 5 | Idaho Falls | B- | 65,685 |
| 6 | Twin Falls | C+ | 52,315 |
| 7 | Nampa | C+ | 102,598 |
| 8 | Caldwell | C | 61,212 |
Popular Idaho City Comparisons
Head-to-head breakdowns of the state's largest cities.
All Cities in Idaho
Click any city for the full profile. Data from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates).
| City | Population | Median Income | Median Home | Median Rent | Unemployment | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City | 234,192 | $76,402 | $401,800 | $1,223 | 3.8% | 68 |
| Meridian | 119,872 | $93,296 | $425,800 | $1,548 | 2.7% | 34 |
| Nampa | 102,598 | $67,346 | $289,400 | $1,201 | 3.0% | 70 |
| Idaho Falls | 65,685 | $66,463 | $266,800 | $931 | 4.8% | 79 |
| Caldwell | 61,212 | $65,259 | $284,000 | $1,012 | 5.1% | 90 |
| Pocatello | 56,582 | $56,115 | $206,200 | $790 | 5.4% | 84 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 54,599 | $65,786 | $384,700 | $1,212 | 2.0% | 56 |
| Twin Falls | 52,315 | $58,024 | $243,700 | $952 | 3.1% | 87 |
| Post Falls | 40,002 | $71,042 | $368,600 | $1,186 | 3.3% | 36 |
| Rexburg | 38,803 | $46,286 | $333,400 | $900 | 7.8% | 21 |
| Lewiston | 34,270 | $63,109 | $259,800 | $890 | 3.2% | 55 |
| Eagle | 30,635 | $114,271 | $637,600 | $1,754 | 1.5% | 25 |
| Moscow | 25,616 | $53,679 | $311,200 | $868 | 6.4% | 22 |
| Kuna | 24,845 | $83,960 | $358,000 | $1,630 | 2.1% | 25 |
| Ammon | 17,921 | $76,471 | $295,100 | $1,113 | 3.1% | 71 |
| Mountain Home | 16,026 | $53,108 | $223,600 | $997 | 6.0% | 42 |
| Hayden | 15,703 | $72,227 | $382,300 | $1,398 | 3.7% | 50 |
| Chubbuck | 15,638 | $69,992 | $287,800 | $931 | 3.9% | 93 |
| Jerome | 12,482 | $59,656 | $192,000 | $862 | 3.6% | 31 |
| Blackfoot | 12,349 | $57,951 | $213,400 | $767 | 8.9% | 63 |
| Garden City | 12,301 | $61,548 | $363,000 | $1,132 | 3.5% | 131 |
| Star | 11,971 | $88,625 | $449,700 | $1,246 | 7.3% | 25 |
| Burley | 11,506 | $58,889 | $173,900 | $871 | 3.7% | 40 |
| Middleton | 9,614 | $68,947 | $289,900 | $1,060 | 2.5% | 32 |
| Rathdrum | 9,556 | $80,934 | $330,400 | $1,189 | 4.6% | 26 |
| Hailey | 9,238 | $77,035 | $423,700 | $1,095 | 3.2% | 37 |
| Sandpoint | 8,899 | $60,208 | $410,200 | $1,039 | 2.7% | 33 |
| Payette | 8,182 | $51,477 | $174,500 | $792 | 7.2% | 66 |
| Emmett | 7,694 | $54,575 | $228,100 | $804 | 0.3% | 62 |
| Fruitland | 6,169 | $64,167 | $239,500 | $939 | 3.0% | 26 |
| Rupert | 6,066 | $53,348 | $157,100 | $756 | 2.9% | 115 |
| Weiser | 5,678 | $41,491 | $172,200 | $852 | 5.8% | 21 |
| Preston | 5,668 | $51,914 | $246,100 | $764 | 0.6% | 17 |
| Rigby | 5,097 | $73,807 | $236,500 | $915 | 2.2% | 50 |
| Shelley | 4,878 | $64,783 | $231,300 | $1,006 | 9.4% | 50 |
| Kimberly | 4,696 | $72,063 | $271,900 | $979 | 0.6% | 15 |
| Buhl | 4,577 | $51,307 | $166,600 | $628 | 4.0% | 20 |
| American Falls | 4,573 | $55,465 | $169,700 | $693 | 7.8% | 48 |
| McCall | 3,731 | $57,788 | $507,500 | $968 | 1.6% | 73 |
| St. Anthony | 3,730 | $44,313 | $170,700 | $688 | 8.1% | 35 |
| Gooding | 3,673 | $42,470 | $136,600 | $829 | 10.3% | 80 |
| Heyburn | 3,640 | $61,443 | $166,200 | $958 | 4.1% | 67 |
| Lincoln | 3,638 | $77,623 | $223,400 | $1,118 | 5.7% | 71 |
| Hidden Springs | 3,584 | $152,328 | $667,100 | $1,917 | 1.6% | 25 |
| Ketchum | 3,490 | $87,478 | $562,500 | $1,370 | 0.9% | 34 |
| Grangeville | 3,369 | $47,572 | $220,000 | $787 | 3.5% | 18 |
| Orofino | 3,251 | $51,518 | $202,700 | $930 | 3.7% | 66 |
| Mountain Home AFB | 3,184 | $60,764 | — | $1,546 | 9.5% | 44 |
| Salmon | 3,147 | $45,130 | $170,900 | $706 | 6.2% | 22 |
| Soda Springs | 3,124 | $44,301 | $194,300 | $693 | 2.5% | 11 |
| Homedale | 2,926 | $50,125 | $141,300 | $885 | 4.0% | 102 |
| Wendell | 2,900 | $46,875 | $200,200 | $827 | 2.1% | 46 |
| Victor | 2,876 | $70,923 | $503,200 | $1,046 | 0.0% | 28 |
| Filer | 2,766 | $48,559 | $195,300 | $1,012 | 3.3% | 28 |
| Iona | 2,746 | $87,619 | $310,400 | $1,219 | 1.9% | 71 |
| Montpelier | 2,649 | $50,668 | $158,000 | $610 | 7.3% | 7 |
| Aberdeen | 2,611 | $62,944 | $140,200 | $604 | 9.2% | 36 |
| Fort Hall | 2,608 | $37,786 | $160,600 | $503 | 12.3% | 79 |
| Bonners Ferry | 2,558 | $46,667 | $199,500 | $841 | 0.9% | 47 |
| Bellevue | 2,554 | $70,089 | $413,400 | $1,083 | 2.5% | 39 |
| Driggs | 2,548 | $86,587 | $405,400 | $1,067 | 0.7% | 28 |
| Dalton Gardens | 2,510 | $87,902 | $581,700 | $835 | 2.4% | 50 |
| St. Maries | 2,410 | $47,564 | $188,200 | $775 | 5.3% | 51 |
| Spirit Lake | 2,375 | $61,625 | $332,700 | $1,071 | 3.8% | 51 |
| Kellogg | 2,294 | $38,316 | $147,400 | $913 | 14.5% | 54 |
| Malad City | 2,219 | $68,594 | $197,600 | $825 | 0.4% | 50 |
| Priest River | 2,170 | $49,868 | $235,800 | $696 | 1.0% | 24 |
| Sugar City | 2,055 | $56,439 | $270,600 | $1,164 | 4.4% | 27 |
| Pinehurst | 1,993 | $52,109 | $207,800 | $894 | 4.0% | 14 |
| Parma | 1,937 | $48,702 | $194,000 | $943 | 7.2% | 52 |
| Shoshone | 1,687 | $44,375 | $161,300 | $831 | 8.6% | 61 |
| Wilder | 1,672 | $54,375 | $169,500 | $740 | 0.7% | 75 |
| New Plymouth | 1,645 | $57,250 | $182,900 | $873 | 8.0% | 55 |
| Ucon | 1,631 | $81,771 | $273,600 | $906 | 5.1% | 71 |
| Osburn | 1,625 | $41,833 | $155,900 | $716 | 3.7% | 50 |
| Tyhee | 1,469 | $90,677 | $391,500 | $1,007 | 9.6% | 79 |
| Hansen | 1,462 | $41,625 | $137,900 | $732 | 0.5% | 70 |
| Grace | 1,413 | $69,858 | $158,800 | $625 | 2.6% | 16 |
| Sun Valley | 1,383 | $67,386 | $921,300 | $2,162 | 0.0% | 18 |
| Ashton | 1,367 | $62,819 | $171,600 | $781 | 8.8% | 25 |
| Moreland | 1,343 | $56,391 | $240,400 | — | 0.0% | 36 |
| Paul | 1,334 | $59,853 | $221,100 | $721 | 1.6% | 68 |
| Glenns Ferry | 1,327 | $36,413 | $139,400 | $618 | 2.4% | 44 |
| Avimor | 1,314 | $106,447 | $490,600 | — | 10.3% | 25 |
| Lapwai | 1,310 | $58,558 | $110,100 | $924 | 9.6% | 51 |
| Moyie Springs | 1,293 | $59,096 | $322,800 | $685 | 6.3% | 45 |
| Carey | 1,244 | $50,000 | $174,600 | $1,034 | 4.6% | 40 |
| Marsing | 1,244 | $55,192 | $193,800 | $608 | 2.1% | — |
| Cottonwood | 1,243 | $55,147 | $163,200 | $844 | 10.9% | 46 |
| Robie Creek | 1,237 | $117,422 | $492,000 | — | 0.0% | 64 |
| Kamiah | 1,210 | $34,803 | $193,200 | $552 | 6.1% | 15 |
| Genesee | 1,209 | $77,266 | $248,400 | $1,250 | 2.5% | 30 |
| Ponderay | 1,208 | $42,670 | $355,600 | $899 | 6.0% | 16 |
| Hagerman | 1,198 | $66,250 | $150,800 | $954 | 2.0% | 36 |
| Cascade | 1,197 | $48,700 | $320,800 | $1,010 | 4.7% | 75 |
| Groveland | 1,190 | $54,115 | $250,000 | $1,170 | 4.0% | 36 |
| Plummer | 1,158 | $50,227 | $145,700 | $926 | 4.3% | 39 |
| Kootenai | 1,152 | $68,750 | $287,200 | $1,568 | 4.7% | 31 |
| Hazelton | 1,094 | $44,468 | $142,800 | $633 | 7.2% | 47 |
| Wallace | 1,083 | $49,052 | $162,900 | $726 | 3.5% | 74 |
| Riverside | 1,074 | $94,583 | $200,900 | — | 0.0% | 36 |
| McCammon | 1,017 | $74,583 | $217,200 | $803 | 5.1% | 79 |
| Greenleaf | 995 | $56,289 | $270,700 | $1,504 | 6.0% | 78 |
| Clark Fork | 963 | $47,411 | $157,800 | $1,080 | 12.9% | 31 |
| Inkom | 954 | $68,594 | $223,800 | $1,131 | 3.7% | 79 |
| Troy | 945 | $74,444 | $259,700 | $905 | 4.9% | 30 |
| Hauser | 935 | $54,875 | $277,400 | $1,094 | 3.7% | 50 |
| Teton | 909 | $57,083 | $219,000 | $883 | 4.8% | 25 |
| Potlatch | 876 | $58,125 | $226,900 | $870 | 9.4% | 30 |
| Franklin | 856 | $58,370 | $298,100 | $1,021 | 0.2% | 12 |
| Challis | 840 | $35,921 | $181,600 | $592 | 1.3% | 154 |
| Downey | 806 | $43,125 | $125,000 | $862 | 0.6% | 79 |
| Ririe | 802 | $61,591 | $112,500 | $1,000 | 0.0% | 23 |
| Oakley | 795 | $77,500 | $203,000 | $767 | 1.7% | 40 |
| Horseshoe Bend | 794 | $50,809 | $171,300 | $784 | 1.0% | 64 |
| Athol | 790 | $48,500 | $232,400 | $850 | 0.7% | 50 |
| Arbon Valley | 784 | $57,841 | $140,900 | — | 12.4% | 46 |
| Hayden Lake | 770 | $111,094 | $703,000 | $1,977 | 2.3% | 50 |
| Menan | 759 | $68,750 | $214,900 | $1,096 | 5.3% | 23 |
| Georgetown | 757 | $70,417 | $157,600 | $1,018 | 5.5% | 7 |
| Arco | 749 | $35,585 | $149,500 | $527 | 0.0% | 34 |
| Clifton | 735 | $96,750 | $240,000 | $763 | 2.4% | 12 |
| Smelterville | 728 | $46,078 | $107,600 | $805 | 0.0% | 74 |
| Paris | 727 | $76,750 | $192,600 | $868 | 3.2% | 7 |
| Dover | 720 | $90,875 | $622,700 | $1,625 | 2.1% | 31 |
| Mullan | 692 | $56,250 | $156,700 | $1,000 | 3.9% | 74 |
| Idaho City | 673 | $42,361 | $95,600 | $729 | 6.0% | 64 |
| Parker | 661 | $72,000 | $231,400 | — | 10.7% | 25 |
| Council | 655 | $42,222 | $145,800 | $790 | 15.9% | 69 |
| Notus | 633 | $73,250 | $220,500 | $1,051 | 7.3% | 78 |
| Kooskia | 608 | $37,292 | $152,300 | $675 | 4.5% | 46 |
| Melba | 602 | $42,147 | $188,600 | $861 | 1.2% | 78 |
| Mackay | 587 | $39,848 | $167,800 | $967 | 0.0% | 71 |
| Juliaetta | 585 | $54,135 | $241,800 | $1,044 | 0.0% | 30 |
| Silverton | 576 | $93,576 | $260,100 | — | 5.3% | 74 |
| Letha | 572 | — | $424,200 | — | 0.0% | 40 |
| Dubois | 530 | $52,625 | $167,500 | $725 | 1.0% | — |
| Weston | 527 | $80,000 | $293,900 | $1,063 | 6.9% | 12 |
| Nezperce | 518 | $55,625 | $144,500 | $625 | 4.2% | 15 |
| Firth | 516 | $64,583 | $157,500 | $917 | 0.0% | 36 |
| Richfield | 509 | $54,167 | $171,200 | $678 | 10.3% | 61 |
| Dayton | 505 | $81,667 | $236,800 | $1,125 | 6.0% | 12 |
| Craigmont | 501 | $55,139 | $154,700 | $917 | 4.6% | 15 |
| Deary | 501 | $73,250 | $202,800 | $941 | 0.4% | 30 |
| Declo | 498 | $48,438 | $175,000 | $1,059 | 2.9% | 40 |
| Newdale | 493 | $82,500 | $250,000 | $1,125 | 0.8% | 25 |
| Grand View | 485 | $39,722 | $162,500 | $643 | 8.8% | — |
| Oldtown | 480 | $54,620 | $213,200 | $811 | 15.0% | 31 |
| Mud Lake | 468 | $52,206 | $126,600 | $1,067 | 5.0% | 23 |
| Fairfield | 463 | $77,083 | $188,200 | $992 | 12.7% | 21 |
| Roberts | 461 | $45,156 | $140,600 | $430 | 9.7% | 23 |
| Lewisville | 451 | $68,750 | $214,100 | $833 | 7.0% | 23 |
| Blanchard | 438 | $52,555 | $266,500 | — | 0.0% | 31 |
| Basalt | 430 | $72,917 | $211,300 | $1,036 | 1.8% | 36 |
| Garden Valley | 409 | $94,583 | $294,600 | — | 0.0% | 64 |
| Eden | 396 | $32,125 | $137,500 | $806 | 4.5% | 47 |
| Culdesac | 392 | $44,375 | $130,200 | $905 | 7.4% | 51 |
| Tetonia | 389 | $54,931 | $356,800 | $1,125 | 0.0% | 28 |
| Pierce | 388 | $44,643 | $150,000 | $500 | 2.6% | 20 |
| Hollister | 376 | $55,833 | $110,800 | $900 | 9.4% | 70 |
| Albion | 375 | $64,922 | $211,100 | $964 | 9.8% | 40 |
| Weippe | 369 | $27,422 | $107,900 | $500 | 0.0% | 20 |
| Bancroft | 347 | $76,250 | $168,400 | $1,050 | 0.0% | 16 |
| Wardner | 330 | $34,643 | $300,000 | $1,100 | 6.6% | 74 |
| Yellow Pine | 327 | — | — | — | 0.0% | 75 |
| Arimo | 326 | $64,028 | $188,100 | — | 3.3% | 79 |
| Cambridge | 326 | $36,932 | $170,800 | — | 9.1% | 30 |
| Gannett | 316 | — | $254,200 | — | 0.0% | 40 |
| Kendrick | 313 | $63,333 | $165,200 | $912 | 6.2% | 30 |
| Rockford Bay | 306 | $123,750 | $862,100 | — | 11.5% | 50 |
| Dietrich | 294 | $71,250 | $150,000 | $950 | 3.8% | 61 |
| Malta | 294 | — | $131,100 | — | 0.0% | 40 |
| Lava Hot Springs | 293 | $45,000 | $218,500 | $783 | 6.9% | 79 |
| New Meadows | 293 | $60,278 | $225,000 | $792 | 3.9% | 69 |
| Laclede | 291 | $84,911 | — | — | 0.0% | 31 |
| Bliss | 281 | $64,545 | — | $579 | 19.7% | 52 |
| Harrison | 277 | $75,833 | $296,400 | $795 | 10.1% | 50 |
| Midvale | 273 | $53,333 | $129,200 | $725 | 5.8% | 30 |
| Winchester | 263 | $44,167 | $170,600 | $740 | 5.8% | 15 |
| Riggins | 258 | $31,250 | $278,600 | $725 | 12.8% | 46 |
| Worley | 258 | $41,563 | $133,900 | $900 | 6.5% | 50 |
| Swan Valley | 255 | $85,000 | — | — | 5.9% | 71 |
| Elk City | 253 | $57,063 | $357,100 | — | 22.5% | 46 |
| Hammett | 253 | $27,445 | $136,300 | $944 | 2.1% | 44 |
| Stanley | 225 | — | — | — | 0.0% | 71 |
| Onaway | 223 | $74,000 | $189,300 | — | 17.9% | 30 |
| East Hope | 222 | $71,500 | $376,500 | $1,125 | 0.0% | 31 |
| Donnelly | 215 | — | $330,800 | $850 | 2.6% | 75 |
| Moore | 211 | — | $164,700 | — | 0.0% | 34 |
| Crouch | 202 | $73,029 | $359,100 | — | 0.0% | 64 |
| Rockford | 199 | $56,250 | $185,400 | — | 0.0% | 36 |
| Bovill | 196 | $43,125 | $90,500 | — | 1.6% | 30 |
| Castleford | 196 | $33,750 | — | $910 | 7.1% | 70 |
| Irwin | 196 | $62,188 | $338,300 | — | 0.0% | 71 |
| Bloomington | 193 | $72,500 | $325,000 | — | 6.3% | 7 |
| Acequia | 187 | $49,286 | $89,200 | — | 17.8% | 68 |
| Ferdinand | 179 | $45,000 | $171,300 | $663 | 4.0% | 46 |
| Minidoka | 175 | $37,946 | $98,800 | $1,097 | 20.6% | 68 |
| Murphy | 172 | $71,302 | $310,400 | — | 0.0% | — |
| Sweetwater | 172 | $81,458 | $176,400 | — | 0.0% | 51 |
| Peck | 165 | $52,917 | $127,500 | $785 | 0.0% | 51 |
| Elk River | 164 | $51,250 | $161,500 | — | 0.0% | 20 |
| Stites | 163 | $31,250 | $118,800 | $806 | 0.0% | 46 |
| Huetter | 161 | $36,282 | $233,300 | $781 | 0.0% | 50 |
| Murtaugh | 154 | $65,625 | $104,200 | — | 4.1% | 70 |
| Rockland | 151 | $49,000 | $170,000 | — | 0.0% | 46 |
| Princeton | 149 | — | — | — | 0.0% | 30 |
| Fernwood | 146 | — | — | — | 0.0% | 72 |
| Island Park | 144 | $68,333 | $286,700 | — | 0.0% | 25 |
| Bennington | 142 | $95,341 | — | — | 0.0% | 7 |
| Fernan Lake Village | 135 | $117,500 | $486,700 | — | 3.6% | 50 |
| Leadore | 132 | $28,942 | $76,500 | $1,063 | 0.0% | 28 |
| Conkling Park | 130 | $32,118 | $556,500 | — | 0.0% | 50 |
| St. Charles | 123 | $86,500 | $175,000 | — | 0.0% | 7 |
| De Smet | 122 | $44,286 | $92,100 | — | 0.0% | 72 |
| Hope | 96 | $63,125 | $300,000 | — | 19.4% | 31 |
| Smiths Ferry | 82 | — | $837,000 | — | 0.0% | 75 |
| Butte City | 72 | $14,653 | $75,300 | — | 10.0% | 34 |
| Reubens | 72 | $70,938 | $143,800 | — | 0.0% | 15 |
| Tensed | 72 | $23,750 | $106,300 | $419 | 7.7% | 72 |
| Viola | 57 | $82,321 | — | — | 0.0% | 30 |
| White Bird | 50 | $15,500 | $155,700 | — | 0.0% | 46 |
| Parkline | 45 | — | $117,300 | — | 0.0% | 72 |
| Bruneau | 41 | — | — | — | 0.0% | — |
| Placerville | 41 | $59,688 | $187,500 | — | 12.5% | 64 |
| Hamer | 38 | $103,750 | $250,000 | — | 0.0% | 23 |
| Oxford | 38 | $56,250 | $262,500 | — | 0.0% | 12 |
| Spencer | 23 | $67,857 | $112,500 | — | 23.5% | — |
| Lowman | 22 | $82,813 | $228,100 | — | 0.0% | 64 |
| Atomic City | 21 | — | — | — | 0.0% | 36 |
| State Line | 16 | $46,667 | — | — | 0.0% | 50 |
| Clayton | 15 | — | — | — | — | 71 |
| Lost River | 10 | — | — | — | — | 71 |
| Coolin | 9 | — | — | — | — | 31 |
| Banks | 5 | — | — | — | 0.0% | 64 |
| Drummond | 3 | — | — | — | — | 25 |
| Warm River | 0 | — | — | — | — | 25 |