Cost of Living in Idaho
Updated November 2026 · population 1,934,262
Idaho prices are 4.5% below the US average (index 95.5), ranking 29th most expensive of 51 states and DC; utilities is the biggest saving at 70.4, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,421 a month.
Prices by category
Idaho price index by category, US average = 100: All items 95.5, Housing (rents) 90.0, Goods 96.3, Utilities 70.4, Other services 99.0
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Idaho (whole state) | 95.5 |
| Metropolitan areas of Idaho | 96.7 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Idaho | 91.9 |
Cities in Idaho
Select a column heading to sort.
| Boise | 237,242 | 98.3 | $2,716 | $5,411 | $1,446 | $484,800 |
| Meridian | 130,138 | 102.9 | $3,113 | $5,651 | $1,805 | $531,600 |
| Nampa | 110,319 | 98.0 | $2,421 | $5,080 | $1,420 | $370,800 |
| Idaho Falls | 67,725 | 94.2 | $2,285 | $4,863 | $1,075 | $335,500 |
| Caldwell | 66,516 | 96.0 | $2,355 | $5,067 | $1,264 | $367,300 |
| Pocatello | 57,635 | 91.7 | $2,170 | $4,663 | $948 | $271,000 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 56,447 | 98.9 | $2,554 | $5,546 | $1,468 | $483,500 |
| Twin Falls | 54,164 | 93.6 | $2,202 | $4,894 | $1,082 | $321,300 |
| Sandpoint | 9,637 | 95.5 | $2,464 | $4,835 | $1,125 | $465,600 |
Metro areas in Idaho
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 98.4 | 105.6 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 98.3 | 105.6 |
| Logan, UT-ID | 95.9 | 91.0 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 94.4 | 84.0 |
| Twin Falls, ID (Metropolitan Statistical Area) * | 92.1 | 73.8 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 91.2 | 71.9 |
| Pocatello, ID | 88.9 | 66.4 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Idaho.
Modelled monthly budget at Idaho average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Idaho (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $839 | $10,068 | 35% |
| Utilities | $191 | $2,292 | 8% |
| Food at home | $272 | $3,264 | 11% |
| Transportation | $609 | $7,308 | 25% |
| Health care | $348 | $4,176 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $162 | $1,944 | 7% |
| Total | $2,421 | $29,052 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Idaho (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,022 | $12,264 | 26% |
| Utilities | $303 | $3,636 | 8% |
| Food at home | $502 | $6,024 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,205 | $14,460 | 30% |
| Health care | $645 | $7,740 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $320 | $3,840 | 8% |
| Total | $3,997 | $47,964 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Idaho (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,333 | $15,996 | 26% |
| Utilities | $369 | $4,428 | 7% |
| Food at home | $715 | $8,580 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,605 | $19,260 | 32% |
| Health care | $601 | $7,212 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $412 | $4,944 | 8% |
| Total | $5,035 | $60,420 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
13.37¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +10.7% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4)
$4.21/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +43.4% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the West region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 92.4 | 91.0 | 91.6 | 91.8 | 92.2 | 95.5 |
Change over the period: +3.1 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Idaho an expensive state to live in?
Idaho has a cost of living index of 95.5 (US = 100), 4.5% below the US average. It ranks 29th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 90.0 (rank 24), goods 96.3, utilities 70.4 and other services 99.0. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Idaho?
At Idaho state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,421 for a single adult, $3,997 for a couple and $5,035 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 96.7 and nonmetro areas 91.9.
What is the median rent and home value in Idaho?
The median gross rent in Idaho is $1,238 a month and the median home value is $418,600 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 28.7% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 16.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, West region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology