Idaho

Avg COL Index

94

vs. 100 national avg

Where the money goes

The biggest cost pressure in Idaho is gas, at 8% above the national average. The biggest break is car insurance, at 33% below it.

Rent trend

Rent rose an average of 4.1% over the past year across the 8 cities we track, faster than the 2.7% national change. Boise saw the biggest move (up 7.6%), while Pocatello was down 0.5%.

City to city

Where you live inside Idaho matters. Typical rent runs from $1,081 in Pocatello to $1,924 in Boise, a gap of $843 a month or about $10,116 a year.

Affordability

Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 43% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks near the middle of 51 states. Median household income there averages $73,941 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Energy and driving

Regular gas costs $4.29 a gallon, 8% above the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $120 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $1,450 a year versus $2,150.

Groceries

Grocery prices in the West rose 2.4% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.