Idaho, the Gem State, offers plenty of reasons for people to call this place home. Many outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and hunting, plus an attractive job market, make Idaho a desirable place to call home. Analyze the costs of living in Idaho and find out the benefits of moving here
What is the cost of living in Idaho?
The cost of living in Idaho is slightly below the national average. According to BestPlaces research, based on a U.S. average of 100, Idaho scores 97.7 on an Idaho cost of living index compared to other U.S. locales. You will save money on utilities and transportation since both these areas cost about 20% below the national average. Still, housing costs in cities such as Eagle and Boise can be slightly above the national average.
How much does it cost to live in Idaho? The average rent for a single-room apartment in Idaho is about $626, although this cost fluctuates depending on the city.
However, renting an apartment or home in Idaho is generally more affordable. Renting also has fewer up-front costs and requires less responsibility than buying a house. Also, renting a house or apartment allows you to experience a location to determine whether you enjoy living in Idaho before making a more permanent commitment.
How expensive is an apartment in Idaho?
Idaho real estate is affordable. However, if you plan on living in a resort town, expect your Idaho cost of living to be substantially high. Boise, the capital city, has a median rental cost of about $1,393 a month for a two-bedroom apartment. If you split the costs with roommates, this price isn’t so bad. Also, you can find a studio apartment in Boise for an average of $700. Idaho Falls is another attractive city with high employment levels and an average rent cost of $959 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Idaho’s more rural areas have higher apartment costs than urban areas. Resort towns such as Sun Valley have a cost-of-living score that is 71% above the national average. Naturally, housing is quite expensive here. Resort towns like Sun Valley have limited apartment rental options, and it may be easier to live in a nearby city such as Ketchum. However, options are limited, and studio apartments can cost an average of $800. Eagle is another suburban area with high apartment costs. A two-bedroom apartment downtown will cost you almost $2,500 a month.
How do I find cheap apartments in Idaho?
In many cities such as Boise, Meridian, and Nampa, rent prices are higher than the rest of the state, with the average monthly rate for a one-bedroom apartment costing $1,200. However, depending on your living situation, these cities may be more than affordable. If you are living with roommates, this arrangement can help lessen the costs. Also, these cities tend to offer jobs that pay a higher salary than the rest of the state.
Suppose you want to find the absolute cheapest place to live given the Idaho living cost in your desired city. Explore cities such as Jerome, Blackfoot, Pocatello, and Chubbuck. These smaller cities in the southeast have some of the lowest rent prices in Idaho, with an average one-bedroom apartment costing about $600. Make sure you consider other fees such as rental application fees, renter’s insurance, and utilities before signing a lease on an apartment.
Browse apartments for rent across Idaho Boise apartments for rent Apartments for rent in Meridian Nampa apartments for rent Apartments for rent in Twin Falls What is the cheapest rent in Idaho?
Now that you’ve seen the expenses associate with rural living in Idaho, consider more affordable city options. Emmett, Idaho, has two-bedroom apartments at an average of $719 a month. While Emmett’s employment opportunities are lower than other cities in the state, Emmett is an hour’s drive from Boise. Caldwell is another affordable city, only 30 minutes away from Boise. It has a cost-of-living average of 9% below the national average and an average two-bedroom apartment rental fee of $746 a month.
While it may be cheaper to live outside the bigger cities, you can still find affordable apartments within the cities. A Boise studio apartment may cost $700, but the city also has better public transportation and job opportunities than other cities in the state. Idaho Falls is another city that ranks high on affordability. This smaller city has a population of 5,176, but a decent job market exists here, and you can rent a two-bedroom apartment for an average of $800.
What do utilities cost in Idaho?
Utilities are where you will save money moving to Idaho, especially when you consider Idaho living expenses. The Gem State has one of the lowest utility bills in the country, falling about 18% below the national average. Natural gas is highly affordable, costing an average of $52.89 a month. The total electricity, natural gas, internet, cable, and water expenses will average about $343 a month. Idaho is a state with some of the worst winter weather that can include below-freezing temperatures, snowstorms, and strong winds. Find a winterized apartment to cut down on heating costs.
What are other Idaho living expenses?
Transportation remains another living expense to consider before moving to Idaho. Many cities in Idaho have limited public transportation, and having a car is a necessity. However, many cities are working to improve their public transportation. Also, in Boise and its surrounding areas, you can use the Valley Regional Transit System. A yearly pass costs only $282 and provides service to Boise, Garden City, Nampa, and Caldwell. Larger cities such as Boise are investing more money in bike lanes and making the city a more bike-friendly place.
Those who use a car can expect gasoline prices to be similar or slightly higher than the national average. You also may want to invest in snow tires or snow chains since driving during the winter can be difficult on Idaho’s highways and roads. Commuting by car in Idaho is quite pleasant since no major cities in Idaho experience considerably heavy traffic.
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