Cheapest Places to Live in Idaho (2025): Cost of Living + Safe Cities

While headlines scream about “cheap Idaho living,” the wrong city choice could drain $800–$1,200 every month from your budget. That’s money gone-not saved.

The median home price in Boise now stands at around $520,000. Just 90 minutes away in Twin Falls, similar homes average closer to $365,000. That gap alone means a $150,000 smaller mortgage-or roughly $760 less per month on payments.

Housing Cost Idaho Snapshot:

• Boise 2-bed rent ≈ $1,62
• Twin Falls 2-bed rent ≈ $1,375
• Difference = $245/mo → $2,940/yr saved

And it’s not just housing. Idaho’s cost of living index hovers around 97.7 (US = 100), so groceries, utilities, and transportation often come in 5–10% cheaper-if you pick the right market.

You might be asking, “Isn’t Idaho getting expensive?” True in hot metro zones, but statewide affordability is alive and well-you just need city-level data on housing, rent, cost of living, and safety. That’s exactly what this guide delivers.

Inside, you’ll find the 10 cheapest cities in Idaho (2025), each with a median home price, rent, cost of living index, and safety score.

Each month of waiting = $900–$1,200 in lost savings and equity.

If you’re still comparing states, check our guide to the affordable places to live in North Carolina - you’ll see how Idaho stacks up against another budget-friendly southern option.

Also read: Safest places to live in Georgia

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• The estimated mortgage assumes a 30-year fixed rate ≈ of 6.35% (recent Idaho rate) and 20% down payment; it excludes taxes and insurance.
• Home Price / Income Ratio = how many years of median income needed to buy the median home in that city. Lower and more affordable.

Many Idaho buyers pair their mortgage with VA loan benefits to reduce monthly costs -a strategy explained in our guide.

Also read: VA loan limits.

Burley is one of Idaho’s true bargains. With a median home value of $311,525 and a monthly mortgage near $1,900, it’s far more affordable than metro areas like Boise (~$3,200/mo). Median household income sits at $63,315, keeping the price-to-income ratio healthy at 4.9x.

Living in Burley saves $400–$800+ every month compared to metro Idaho. That’s $5,000–$9,600 a year you can redirect into savings or equity.

The cost of living is ~16.4% below the U.S. average, making groceries, utilities, and transportation noticeably lighter on your budget. Safety levels are moderate but lower than most U.S. metros.

Best for: Families and first-time buyers who want the lowest mortgage stress with safe, small-town living.

With reAlpha, earn back up to $7,500 in buyer rebates, covering months of payments.

Pocatello’s median home value is $323,781, with a monthly mortgage of around $1,975. Median income is $57,931, giving a 5.6x ratio -slightly higher than Burley but still manageable.

Compared to Boise mortgages, you’re saving $1,200–$1,400/month (over $14,000/year).

Cost of living runs 10.8% cheaper than the U.S. average, so everyday expenses like groceries and utilities add to the monthly cushion. Crime is slightly higher than in Idaho Falls, but still safer than many western metros.

Best for: First-time buyers and young families who need affordability without cutting too many amenities.

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Every 30 days you wait = $1,400 lost equity potential.

Blackfoot’s median home value of $341,051 translates into a $2,080 monthly mortgage. With a median income of $69,091, its price-to-income ratio is a strong 4.9x.

Compared to Boise, you’ll save ~$1,100 per month -more than $13,000 annually.

The city’s cost of living is 11.5% below the national average, meaning your budget stretches further. Safety levels are favorable, making it attractive to retirees and families.

Best for: Buyers who want predictable expenses and a stable, family-friendly environment.

At $441,252, Payette has one of the highest home values on this list, with monthly mortgages near $2,700. Median income is $55,455, giving a 7.9x price-to-income ratio - less affordable than peers.

Still, the cost of living is 12.1% lower than the U.S. average, offsetting housing costs. Savings vs Boise are about $500/month or $6,000/year.

Best for: Buyers looking for equity upside in a higher-priced but still undervalued small market.

Twin Falls offers a median home value of $347,340 and a $2,130 monthly mortgage. Median income sits at $60,760 (5.7x ratio).

Compared to Boise, expect $1,000+ savings monthly, or $12,000 annually.

Cost of living is 8.2% cheaper than the U.S. average. Twin Falls also has strong resale and rental demand, making it attractive for buyers who may relocate later.

Best for: Buyers who want low costs today and liquidity tomorrow.

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Lewiston’s $364,985 homes mean a $2,240 mortgage. Median income is $71,047, making the price-to-income ratio a solid 5.1x.

That’s ~$1,000 less monthly than Boise, saving $12,000/year.

Cost of living is 5.7% below the national average, and Lewiston scores high on safety, making it a top pick for families wanting both affordability and peace of mind.

Best for: Households with higher incomes seeking a safe, affordable community.

Homes in Jerome average $360,645 with $2,215 mortgages. Median income is $65,343, for a 5.5x ratio.

$1,000/mo cheaper than Boise = $12,000/year saved.

Cost of living is 10.7% below the U.S. average, so food and utilities further reduce expenses.

Best for: Buyers seeking quiet non-metro living without big compromises.

Chubbuck’s $368,359 homes equal a $2,260 monthly mortgage. With a median income of $78,646, the price-to-income ratio is just 4.7x - among the lowest in Idaho.

Boise vs Chubbuck = $1,000 monthly savings.

Cost of living sits 10.8% below the U.S. average. Strong income levels mean households feel less payment pressure.

Best for: Buyers prioritizing low financial stress and affordability.

Ammon’s median home value is $398,845, with $2,440 monthly payments. Median income = $84,154, keeping the ratio at a healthy 4.7x.

Even with higher home prices, incomes offset. Compared to Boise, buyers still save ~$700/mo (~$8,400 annually).

Cost of living is 5.7% below the U.S. average, making daily life easier.

Best for: Professionals and families with higher incomes wanting a stable, affordable market.

Preston homes average $409,373, with $2,505 monthly payments. Median income is just $55,625, creating a higher 7.4x ratio.

Even so, Preston mortgages are ~$700 cheaper than Boise, saving $8,400 annually.

Cost of living is 4.9% lower than the U.S. average. Preston appeals to those prioritizing community and affordability over income ratios.

Best for: Small-town buyers seeking peace and lower housing costs compared to metro zones.

Idaho is often painted as “cheap,” but the real advantage is how its living costs stack against the U.S. average. The national index = 100. Idaho comes in around 97.7, meaning day-to-day life here costs ~2–3% less overall. But the category breakdown is where the real savings appear.

Breakdown (Idaho vs US = 100):

• Housing: 96 → Idaho homes and rents average 4% cheaper (though Boise skews high).
• Utilities: 92 → Power + heating bills run 8% lower, saving ~$40–$60/mo.
• Groceries: 94 → About 6% cheaper on food staples, $25–$45/mo per household.
• Transportation: 93 → Gas + insurance costs cut 7%, or ~$75/mo.
• Healthcare: ~98 → Almost identical to national average.

Example:

• US family spends baseline: ~$5,000/mo
• Idaho COL basket (–5–7% overall): ~$4,650–4,750/mo
• Savings: $250–$350 every single month

Paying $5,000/mo in Denver vs $4,700/mo in Twin Falls is a $3,600 yearly difference-before you even factor in mortgage savings.

You might be thinking, “Isn’t housing up in Idaho?” Yes, but compared to national metros, costs are still lower. And when you add cheaper utilities + transport, Idaho still nets a loss avoided every month.

Lower Idaho costs aren’t just about groceries or gas - property taxes across the U.S. often run much higher.

Also read: Property tax impact on home buyers.

Cheap isn’t enough-you also want peace of mind. That’s why we mapped crime per 1,000 residents against median home prices and rents. The sweet spot? Cities where you can cut $400–$900/mo in housing costs and still sleep easy.

Boise commands a $520,000 median home price and higher rents, yet its crime index isn’t dramatically safer than nearby Idaho Falls (~$375,000 median home). Choosing Idaho Falls can keep $700/mo in your pocket without sacrificing much on safety.

Snapshot (crime + cost overlay):

• Idaho Falls → Median home ~$375K; rent ~$1,165; crime ~low-mid tier for state.
• Twin Falls → Median home ~$365K; rent ~$1,375; crime moderate but below many U.S. metros.
• Pocatello → Median home ~$335K; rent ~$995; crime slightly higher than Idaho Falls, but still safer than most big-city alternatives.
• Lewiston → Median home ~$365K; higher incomes offset costs; low crime rate vs state peers.

You might be thinking, “I’ll pay more for safety.” Reality: in Idaho’s smaller cities, you rarely need to. A city like Twin Falls delivers $500–$900/mo in savings and crime rates well below national averages. Paying Boise premiums for only marginally better stats is a financial loss.

Safety-conscious buyers can compare Idaho’s crime rates with our analysis of the safest places to live in Virginia.

Also read: Safest places to live in Texas.

Not every Idaho zip code is a bargain. In fact, some of the fastest-growing markets are now price traps-great amenities, but at a cost that bleeds your monthly budget.

Boise’s median home price hovers near $520,000. Compare that to Twin Falls (~$365,000) or Pocatello (~$335,000), and you’re looking at a $155,000–$185,000 gap. At current mortgage rates, that’s an extra $700–$900 every single month-cash gone before groceries or gas.

Math Snapshot:

• Boise: Home ≈ $520K → ~$3,200/mo mortgage (30-yr, 6.35%, 20% down)
• Meridian/Eagle: Often higher, $550K–$600K → ~$3,400–$3,700/mo mortgage
• Treasure Valley (Caldwell, Kuna, Middleton): Cheaper than Boise proper (~$400K–$425K), but still $200–$400/mo more than cities like Idaho Falls or Burley

If you’re remote-friendly or flexible on commute, smaller markets give you comparable safety, schools, and lifestyle for hundreds less each month. Paying metro premiums is often a loss you can avoid.

Each year in Boise, at $900 more per month = $10,800 lost that could have been building equity elsewhere.

If Boise’s prices stretch your budget, consider nearby states - our guide to affordable places to live in Oregon highlights cross-border options.

Also read: Affordable places to live in Washington.

Scrolling through numbers is one thing-deciding where to live is another. That’s why we built this quick matrix: if you know your #1 priority, you’ll know your best-fit Idaho city.

A Boise mortgage at ~$3,200/mo vs a Twin Falls mortgage at ~$2,130/mo is a $1,070 monthly swing. That’s $12,840 every year-equivalent to an instant raise without changing jobs.

Use this table as your decision compass. Once you know your #1 filter-cost, safety, lifestyle-you’ll see exactly where to move.

For East Coast movers weighing trade-offs, see our affordable cities to live in Massachusetts guide for a coastal comparison.

Also read: Affordable places to live in South Carolina.

Buying a home is a big decision - and having the right information puts you ahead. But the real advantage comes from pairing smart research with a smarter way to buy.

When you use a reAlpha real estate company, you can be eligible to receive up to 1% of the home purchase price back as a credit at closing. Add reAlpha Mortgage, and that rebate can increase to up to 1.5% back, helping offset closing costs and keep more money in your pocket when it matters most.

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