Idaho has some of the fastest-growing and most affordable places around.
Flourishing companies like Albertsons in Boise and the Idaho Candy Company in Owyhee fuel the demand for Idaho real estate. But, there are still inexpensive places to live in the potatoes-producing state if you know where to look. So, where exactly should you look for the cheapest places to live in Idaho?
Using Saturday Night Science, we analyzed US Census data on home prices, median income, and overall cost of living for every place in Idaho to identify where you should plant your spuds.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | FAQs | Summary
The 10 most affordable places to live in Idaho
What’s the cheapest place to live in Idaho? While the competition was fierce, the cheapest place to live in Idaho for 2024 is Rupert.
If you care about home values and affordability in Idaho, look at the list below; if you don’t find your favorite there, head to the bottom for a complete list of affordable places to live in Idaho.
Check out some more reading about Idaho and the cheapest places in the country:
The 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Idaho For 2024
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Population: 6,066
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 81
Median Income: $53,348
Median Home Price: $295,733
Median Rent: $756
You’d find it nearly impossible to find a lower price on homes than in Rupert, our cheapest city in Idaho. That’s because, at a median price of $295,733, Rupert has the first least expensive homes in the state. Even better, Rupert enjoys the seventh best home price to income ratio in Idaho. Rupert is also one of the best cities for families in Idaho, you if you’re just starting a new family without much in the way of excess funds, Rupert’s got you covered. And don’t worry about being bored here; we promise that there are loads of things to do on a budget in Rupert.
Rupert is located in southern Idaho, between Pocatello and Twin Falls.
More on Rupert: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 12,482
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 83
Median Income: $59,656
Median Home Price: $366,237
Median Rent: $862
Jerome, Idaho, is located in a rural area in the southern part of the state. To give you an idea of what life is like in the region: dairy farming makes a major contribution to the town’s economy. But Jerome is more than just a good place for cows. It’s also the number 2 most affordable place in Idaho for people to call home.
Home prices are cheap in Jerome, a town of 12,482 people. The median home value sits at $366,237. Just to put that number in context, that ranks as the 11th mark in the state. Rents are similarly affordable, with a median value of $862 per month.
Looking at the general economy for the region, the median income stands at $59,656. The unemployment rate comes in at 3.56%.
Given its location, life is relatively rustic in Jerome. However, residents do have access to Idaho’s natural beauty. For instance, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is about two hours away. For a weekend getaway, folks in Jerome can head to Boise, the state’s capital and biggest city, also about a two-hour drive away.
More on Jerome: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 11,506
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 84
Median Income: $58,889
Median Home Price: $315,637
Median Rent: $871
We’ll take a short drive southwest from Rupert to arrive at our third most affordable place in Idaho, Burley. Burley is located on the south bank of Snake River, one of the premier spots to waterski, windsurf, and fish in southern Idaho.
Buying a home in Burley will set you back about $315,637, the third lowest price in Idaho. The median income in Burley is $58,889, giving the city the fourth best home price to income ratio in Idaho.
More on Burley: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 12,349
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 87
Median Income: $57,951
Median Home Price: $331,966
Median Rent: $767
Located between Idaho Falls and Pocatello, Blackfoot ranks as the fourth least expensive place to call home in the Gem State. Rent in Blackfoot is absurdly cheap, with a median price of $767; that’s less than half the average rent in Idaho. Even more importantly, with a median income of $57,951, Blackfoot residents get the best deal on rent statewide. If you decide you like Blackfoot enough to settle down for good, a home will set you back about $331,966.
But if you’re just visiting Blackfoot, be sure to take advantage of the “free taters for out of staters” deal at the Idaho Potato Museum.
More on Blackfoot: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 65,685
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 88
Median Income: $66,463
Median Home Price: $366,971
Median Rent: $931
Welcome to Idaho Falls, the last stop on our tour of uber-affordable spots in Idaho. Idaho Falls ia a happening city that scored an 8/10 on our overall SnackAbility scale, with an emphasis on a great market for jobs and homes, short commutes, and great amenities — all for some of the lowest prices in the state.
We also named Idaho Falls one of the best cities for singles in Idaho, thanks to fabulous date night options like catching a Chukars game at Melaleuca Field or just wandering down the Idaho Falls River Walk. The median rent in Idaho Falls is $931 and the median home price is $366,971.
More on Idaho Falls: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 8,182
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 88
Median Income: $51,477
Median Home Price: $340,535
Median Rent: $792
If you’re a sucker for a good deal, there’s nowhere better in Idaho than Payette, a little city an hour northwest of Boise. Payette boasts the seventh cheapest homes statewide, with a median price of $340,535. And with a median income of $51,477, Payette residents pay the 19th smallest percentage of their salaries on homes anywhere in Idaho. On top of that, folks in Payette enjoy the 18th best rent to income ratio in the state. If you do decide to settle down in Payette, be sure to mark the annual week-long Apple Blossom Festival on your calendar.
More on Payette: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
That’s just a few incidents in one small town,,Every town has issues,,Let’s take a look at the big cities,, Detroit filed for bankruptcy,,The CITY is all but abandoned,, Halloween people burn down houses for sport,, Homeless People freezing on Church Doorsteps,,Most of the businesses are run by people who aren’t citizens and g*d forbid you have a life threatening situation and have to be ambulanced to the hospital because it will take hours for them to get to you if they decide to show up at all,,then if you do manage to make it,you spend an hour going through security before you are triaged and treated,,Children run the streets 24/7 unsupervised and if they go to school,,the usually end up dropping out before they reach middle school,, Idaho is full of small town communities where people help eachother and a handshake still means something,,Jus because we live in Payette does NOT mean we are living in poverty,,are uneducated or poor,, Crime is everywhere not just in Small Town Idaho
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Population: 7,694
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 88
Median Income: $54,575
Median Home Price: $428,806
Median Rent: $804
Emmett, Idaho is a great place to live for those looking for an affordable option. With a median home value of $428,806 and median rent of just $804, the cost of living in Emmett is below the national average. Additionally, the cost of living index is 88, making it an ideal spot for those who want to stretch their dollar further.
As the county seat and the only city in Gem County, Emmett has a small-town feel with easy access to larger cities like Boise. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Emmett’s proximity to the Payette River and nearby hiking trails. And with a low unemployment rate of just 0.3%, there are plenty of job opportunities available for those who choose to call Emmett home.
More on Emmett: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 56,582
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 89
Median Income: $56,115
Median Home Price: $313,922
Median Rent: $790
As one of the biggest cities in Idaho, Pocatello proves that you can have all the convenience of a large place without paying a large price. Pocatello is home to the Idaho Museum of Natural History, but if you’re looking for a more unique historical perspective, the Museum of Clean is a great place to spend the day. Homes in Pocatello are the second cheapest in Idaho, with a median price of $313,922. Pocatello residents also pay the fifth smallest percentage of their income on rent in Idaho.
More on Pocatello: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
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Population: 52,315
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 90
Median Income: $58,024
Median Home Price: $348,378
Median Rent: $952
In south-central Idaho, Twin Falls ranks as the ninth most inexpensive city in Idaho. The city is a commercial beacon in Magic Valley, benefiting from its strategic location as the primary urban center within a 100-mile radius.
Twin Falls has a median home price of $348,378 that goes with the $952 median rent. The overall cost of living index of 90 is 5.3% lower than the Idahoan average thanks to low index values for utilities, services, and healthcare.
More on Twin Falls: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
I live there till I was 11 and I’m 34 now and back then I remember Not much older then me at time fighting and putting each other in wheel chairs slicing faces and necks, stabbing and shooting each other to death and it was like another day in the neighborhood. The way I explain it to my girlfriend is that it’s a small town with a chip on its shoulder that no one knows of so they have too go the extreme to show that they are just as ruff as the big cities. Much like the youngest kids in the gang are the most dangerous cause they have more to prove. Anyways I live Seattle now. And miss Maxies and Papa kelseys but that’s it. Oh and the schools s**k a*s. Nothing to do except cow tipping and trying not to date your cousins, yeah it’s a thing…
Dirkys lake was my favorite place to go when i did live there which was right off the snake river down a lil canyon and if u hike behind that they which was called then the hidden lakes which was like 3 or 4 of them and u could go cliff jumping off of them, but lots of deaths probably 3 each year when I live there I think don’t quote me on that, and the other thing which is really popular now, it wasnt so much when i lived there but I think they had to capitalize on it to help the city gain more publicity is base jumping off the bridge with a but I hear about 3-5 people die each year doin that too but has gained a lot of attention across the nation and the world I believe for the extreme seeking fanatics at are into that stuff.
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Population: 17,921
Overall Cost Of Living Index: 90
Median Income: $76,471
Median Home Price: $391,748
Median Rent: $1,113
At first glance, Ammon’s inclusion on this list may be a bit confusing. After all, Ammon does have the most expensive homes and rent on this list. But when you remember that Ammon is one of the richest places in Idaho, everything makes sense. With the highest median income on this list at $76,471, Ammon is in the top ten statewide in housing to income ratios, both for renters and buyers. But be sure to get in quick; the word is out that Ammon is one of the best places to live in Idaho, which helps account for the city’s rapid growth in recent years.
Ammon is located just east of Idaho Falls.
More on Ammon: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Cheapest places to live in Idaho FAQs
The county in Idaho with the lowest cost of living is Adams County. The average living wage in Adams County is $81,054 according to MIT data. Adams County has the lowest cost of living because it has relatively less expensive childcare and housing costs compared to Idaho as a whole. Childcare costs $10,277 a year in Adams County for two children compared to the Idaho average of $12,392. Housing costs, defined as a blend of the average rent and average mortgage payment, are $8,808 per year in Adams County compared to $10,812 on average in Idaho.
The cost of living in Idaho is 4.5% lower than the US average. According to MIT, the required living wage for a family of four with two working parents in Idaho is $85,747 vs the national average for a family of four with two working parents of $89,744. The median income of a Idaho household is $58,915.
The cheapest housing market in Idaho is Weiser. The average home value in Weiser is $122,100, the lowest in the state. The average home value in Idaho is $235,600, almost 1.9 times higher than Weiser.
Methodology: How we determined the most affordable places to live in the Gem State for 2024
Determining affordability for places in Idaho boils down to how much it costs to live here.
You need to understand your costs relative to what people in the rest of the state are paying.
With that logic in mind, we derived several cost of living statistics from the latest Census American Community Survey 2018-2022 for Idaho using Saturday Night Science. We indexed the cost of living statistics across the following categories:
- Housing
- Transportation
- Services
- Groceries
- Healthcare
- Utilities
These are then weighted together to produce an overall cost of living index where 100 is the United States average. Anything below 100 is relatively affordable. Anything over 100 is relatively expensive.
We applied the biggest weight to housing as it typically accounts for 25% or more of your budget. Additionally, housing costs are the highest variant cost across a state. We then compare these cost of living metrics for each place in Idaho to figure out which is the least expensive.
The “Cost of Living Index” allows you to rank all of the 32 places in Idaho that have more than 5,000 people from least expensive to most expensive. Any ties went to the larger city.
The place in Idaho with the lowest cost of living according to the data is Rupert.
We updated this article for 2024. This report reflects our tenth time ranking the cheapest places to live in Idaho.
Idaho Affordabilility Summary
This is an accurate list of the most affordable places to live in Idaho for 2024, if you’re looking at the cost of living numbers in Idaho.
The cheapest cities in Idaho are Rupert, Jerome, Burley, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Payette, Emmett, Pocatello, Twin Falls, and Ammon.
Here’s a look at the most expensive cities in Idaho according to the data:
- Eagle
- Star
- Sandpoint
For more Idaho reading, check out:
Cheapest Places To Live In Idaho
| Rank | City | Population | Cost Of Living Index | Median Income | Home Prices | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rupert | 6,066 | 81 | $53,348 | $295,733 | $756 |
| 2 | Jerome | 12,482 | 83 | $59,656 | $366,237 | $862 |
| 3 | Burley | 11,506 | 84 | $58,889 | $315,637 | $871 |
| 4 | Blackfoot | 12,349 | 87 | $57,951 | $331,966 | $767 |
| 5 | Idaho Falls | 65,685 | 88 | $66,463 | $366,971 | $931 |
| 6 | Payette | 8,182 | 88 | $51,477 | $340,535 | $792 |
| 7 | Emmett | 7,694 | 88 | $54,575 | $428,806 | $804 |
| 8 | Pocatello | 56,582 | 89 | $56,115 | $313,922 | $790 |
| 9 | Twin Falls | 52,315 | 90 | $58,024 | $348,378 | $952 |
| 10 | Ammon | 17,921 | 90 | $76,471 | $391,748 | $1,113 |
| 11 | Weiser | 5,678 | 90 | $41,491 | $319,644 | $852 |
| 12 | Preston | 5,668 | 91 | $51,914 | $395,648 | $764 |
| 13 | Chubbuck | 15,638 | 92 | $69,992 | $364,541 | $931 |
| 14 | Caldwell | 61,212 | 93 | $65,259 | $379,133 | $1,012 |
| 15 | Mountain Home | 16,026 | 93 | $53,108 | $339,060 | $997 |
| 16 | Nampa | 102,598 | 94 | $67,346 | $396,042 | $1,201 |
| 17 | Fruitland | 6,169 | 94 | $64,167 | $393,238 | $939 |
| 18 | Middleton | 9,614 | 95 | $68,947 | $468,505 | $1,060 |
| 19 | Rathdrum | 9,556 | 97 | $80,934 | $525,955 | $1,189 |
| 20 | Post Falls | 40,002 | 98 | $71,042 | $489,488 | $1,186 |
| 21 | Lewiston | 34,270 | 98 | $63,109 | $356,242 | $890 |
| 22 | Kuna | 24,845 | 98 | $83,960 | $423,480 | $1,630 |
| 23 | Moscow | 25,616 | 100 | $53,679 | $432,402 | $868 |
| 24 | Garden City | 12,301 | 100 | $61,548 | $485,171 | $1,132 |
| 25 | Rexburg | 38,803 | 101 | $46,286 | $393,055 | $900 |
| 26 | Coeur d’Alene | 54,599 | 102 | $65,786 | $548,397 | $1,212 |
| 27 | Meridian | 119,872 | 103 | $93,296 | $510,137 | $1,548 |
| 28 | Hayden | 15,703 | 103 | $72,227 | $573,102 | $1,398 |
| 29 | Hailey | 9,238 | 103 | $77,035 | $776,233 | $1,095 |
| 30 | Sandpoint | 8,899 | 103 | $60,208 | $593,858 | $1,039 |
| 31 | Star | 11,971 | 105 | $88,625 | $556,806 | $1,246 |
| 32 | Eagle | 30,635 | 119 | $114,271 | $798,612 | $1,754 |