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Star, ID Utility & Living Guide

A star is a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by self-gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night; their immense distances from Earth make them appear as fixed points of light. The most prominent stars have been categorised into const

Last updated: June 26, 2026

Total Utilities$340/mo

1BR Rent$1100/mo

Sales Tax6%

COL Index108 (+8% above national average)

Family Score7/10

Median Home$380,000

📷 Live Cameras — Star

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🌤️ Live Weather — Star

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⚠️ Natural Hazard History — Star

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💰 Budget Calculator

🔌 Utilities

🏠 Housing

📊 Cost of Living

💰 Taxes

👨‍👩‍👧 Families

🧮 Tools

Monthly Utility Costs

⚡ Electric

$130/mo

Idaho Power

🔥 Gas

$60/mo

Intermountain Gas Company

💧 Water

$50/mo

City of Star Water Department

🗑️ Garbage

$30/mo

Republic Services

📶 Internet

$70/mo

Combined Average Overhead$340/month

Housing Market

Rent & Property
1 Bedroom	$1100/mo
2 Bedrooms	$1400/mo
3 Bedrooms	$2000/mo
Median Home Price	$380,000
Property Tax Rate	1.1%
Avg Childcare/mo	$1200

The housing market in Star is growing rapidly, with new developments and subdivisions popping up around the city. Home prices are rising, but still relatively affordable compared to other areas in the Boise metro. Rentals are also in high demand, with many new apartments and single-family homes being built to meet the needs of the growing population

Cost of Living

Overall COL Index

108

US national avg = 100

vs National Avg

+8% above national average

Groceries

105

Transportation

Healthcare

102

Childcare/mo

$1200

Tax Rates

Tax Overview
Total Sales Tax	6%
Property Tax Rate	1.1%
<p>State 6% + None</p>

Idaho has a state income tax rate ranging from 1.125% to 6.925%, with a top marginal rate of 6.925% applying to income above $11,400 for single filers and $22,800 for joint filers

Family & Relocation

Family Vibe Score

7/10

Safety Index

Higher = safer

School Rating

7.2/10

GreatSchools avg

Avg Childcare

$1200/mo

City Pulse

Population Trend

+15% (growing)

Political Climate

Red

Business Momentum

High, with key industries including technology, healthcare, and manufacturing

Top Local Concerns

Traffic, growth, schools

🚌 Transit for Families

Star has limited public transportation options, but the city is relatively small and easy to navigate on foot or by bike

🎡 Top Kid Attractions

🎯
Star Community Park
🎯
Boise River Greenbelt
🎯
Idaho State Capitol

Best Neighborhoods for Families

The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods are popular with families, offering a mix of old and new homes, parks, and community amenities. The city is also investing in new developments and infrastructure to support its growing population

Household Budget Calculator

Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Star based on your household profile.

📰 Live Local News

Star has regulations in place regarding zoning, building permits, and business licenses, but is generally considered a business-friendly city

Financial Tools

Calculators

Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city

Planning Tools

Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side

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📊 Star — Census & Demographic Data

Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs

Utility costs in Star tend to be higher in the winter months due to heating needs, with the average gas bill increasing by 20-30% from December to February. In the summer, electricity costs may be higher due to air conditioning usage, but the overall impact is less pronounced

🏛️ Local Tax Details

The ZIP code 83669 has a property tax millage rate of 1.244%, with no local surtaxes

👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness

6, with explanation: Star has some sidewalks and parks, but could improve its infrastructure to better support families with strollers, including more elevator access in public buildings and better connectivity between neighborhoods

📍 Star City Stories

Aug 22, 2026