Cost of Living for Idaho (2026)
Idaho (ID) Key Facts
Cost of Living Index
97
National Average Index
100
Median Household Income
$63,000
Approximate Median Rent (1 B R)
$1,050/month
State Income Tax Rate
5.8%
How This Calculator Works in Idaho
This cost of living calculator helps you compare salaries between Idaho and other states or cities by adjusting for purchasing power differences. Enter a salary and a target location to see what equivalent income you would need. It uses Idaho's cost of living index of 97 relative to the national average of 100 to provide an accurate comparison.
Idaho Overview
Idaho has a cost of living index of 97, where 100 represents the national average. Boise has seen some of the fastest housing appreciation in the nation due to an influx of workers from California and the Pacific Northwest. Rural Idaho remains very affordable. The median household income is $63,000, which has a purchasing power equivalent of approximately $64,948 in an average-cost location.
How Idaho Compares
Idaho's cost of living index of 97 compares to Montana's 102 and Wyoming's 96. Residents in Idaho benefit from lower costs compared to the national average, meaning salaries stretch further here. The most affordable states like Mississippi (84) cost roughly 15% less than Idaho, while the most expensive like Hawaii (192) cost 98% more.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | COL Index: 102 | Montana has a cost of living index of 102 and a median household income of $60,000. It is more expensive than Idaho. |
| Wyoming | COL Index: 96 | Wyoming has a cost of living index of 96 and a median household income of $68,000. It is more affordable than Idaho. |
| Utah | COL Index: 101 | Utah has a cost of living index of 101 and a median household income of $75,000. It is more expensive than Idaho. |
The national average cost of living index is 100. Idaho's index of 97 is near the national average. States like Mississippi (84) and West Virginia (84) have the lowest cost of living, while Hawaii (192) and DC (148) have the highest. Idaho's median household income of $63,000 should be evaluated alongside its cost of living to understand real purchasing power.
Tips for Idaho Residents
- 1Boise has seen some of the fastest housing appreciation in the nation due to an influx of workers from California and the Pacific Northwest. Rural Idaho remains very affordable.
- 2Idaho's median household income of $63,000 has a real purchasing power of about $64,948 when adjusted to the national average. Compare this figure, not the raw salary, when evaluating cross-state moves or job offers.
- 3Idaho's top state income tax rate of 5.8% further reduces purchasing power beyond what the cost of living index alone shows. Factor in taxes when making state-to-state comparisons.
- 4When comparing job offers between states, adjust salaries by the cost of living index. A $60,000 salary in a state with an index of 90 provides more purchasing power than $70,000 in a state with an index above 105.
- 5Look beyond the state average — costs can vary dramatically within Idaho between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities. Research the specific city or county where you would live.