Idaho Living Report — October 05, 2026

For anyone considering a move to the Gem State, the numbers paint a clear picture of a place that is still more affordable than its Western neighbors, yet increasingly feeling the squeeze of its own popularity. Idaho’s population now stands at roughly 1,854,109, a figure that has grown steadily over the past decade as newcomers have been drawn by a combination of economic opportunity and outdoor lifestyle. But what does that mean for the day-to-day realities of living there?

Housing remains the biggest consideration. The median home value in Idaho sits at $331,600 — a figure that has climbed sharply but still undercuts states like Washington, Oregon, and California by a significant margin. For renters, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs $1,061 per month. To put that in perspective: with a median household income of $70,214 per year, that rent consumes roughly 18 percent of gross monthly income — well below the 30 percent threshold often used to define housing cost burden. That suggests many Idahoans can rent comfortably, though first-time homebuyers may still face stiff competition in desirable areas like Boise, Coeur d’Alene, or the burgeoning smaller cities tracked by Finklick, which monitors 268 municipalities across the state.

The job market reinforces that relative stability. Idaho’s unemployment rate stood at just 3.5 percent as of August 2026, reflecting a tight labor market. Sectors like healthcare, construction, and technology have driven growth, and the state’s business-friendly climate has attracted a wave of remote workers who relocated during the pandemic and stayed. Median age in Idaho is 36.9, slightly younger than the national median, suggesting a workforce that is still in its prime earning years. However, the poverty rate of 10.7 percent is a reminder that prosperity is not evenly distributed — rural counties and some agricultural

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Browse utility costs, housing data, Census demographics, and climate data for all 268 tracked cities in Idaho.

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Data: US Census Bureau ACS 2022, BLS. Updated October 05, 2026.

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