Moving to Boise: your new-resident checklist
The official places to update your license, car, voter registration and mail after a move to Boise, Idaho, plus what the local weather and hazards mean for your first year. Tick things off as you go; your progress stays in this browser.
Set up mail forwarding and tell the Postal Service your new address at the official USPS change of address site. It costs a small identity-check fee online; beware look-alike sites that charge more.
New residents usually have a limited time to switch. The Idaho Transportation Department, DMV lists the deadline, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment. Bring proof of your Boise address.
Vehicle titles and registration are also handled at the state level in Idaho. Start at the Idaho Transportation Department, DMV website, and update your car insurance to your new address first.
Use vote.gov's Idaho page to reach the official state registration and deadlines.
Water, trash and recycling pickup days, parking permits and 311 requests are on the official City of Boise website. Property tax and some records are handled by Ada County.
Idaho's top income tax rate is 5.3% (flat). The average combined sales tax is 6.03%. If you moved from another state mid-year, you may file part-year returns in both.
Boise is on Mountain Time.
About 18 inches of snow fall in a typical year and about 108 nights drop below freezing. A snow shovel, an ice scraper and good tires are worth buying before the first storm, and check your city's rules on clearing sidewalks.
About 55 days a year reach 90°F. Have your air conditioning serviced before summer, and expect higher power bills from June to September.
FEMA rates Ada County's natural hazard risk relatively moderate, led by winter weather, wildfire and strong wind. Check the flood map for your address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, sign up for local emergency alerts, and see Ready.gov for a basic emergency kit.
Learn what locals love and wish they had known on the Boise page, and see what is nearby.
Lived in Boise for a while? Rate the city and share what newcomers should know.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my driver's license after moving to Boise?
Licenses are handled by the state, not the city. In Idaho that is the Idaho Transportation Department, DMV. Its website lists the deadline for new residents, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment.
Where do I register to vote in Boise?
Start at vote.gov, the federal government's site, which sends you to the official Idaho registration page and lists the deadlines.
Links checked October 18, 2026. Rules and fees are set by each agency and change, so follow the official site. Weather figures: NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hazard rating: FEMA National Risk Index. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026.