Best places to live in Idaho
We cover 5 places in Idaho, home to 637,000 residents. The largest is Boise (238,000), the fastest growing since 2020 is Caldwell (+27.4%), and the lowest metro price level is in Coeur d'Alene (98.3). The top state income tax rate is 5.3%. The average combined sales tax is 6.03%.
Best places to live in Idaho, ranked
Each city gets a score out of 100 from six official measures, weighted as shown: home prices compared with income (25%), household income (15%), population growth since 2020 (15%), short commutes (15%), comfortable months of weather (15%) and low poverty (15%). Scores compare all 546 large US cities, so a 70 in Idaho means the same as a 70 anywhere. See the national ranking and method.
| # | City | Score | Home value to income | Income | Growth | Commute | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meridian | 62 | 5.3× | $100,795 | +21.4% | 22 min | 3 |
| 2 | Coeur d'Alene | 55 | 6.7× | $72,338 | +6.5% | 18 min | 5 |
| 3 | Nampa | 51 | 5.0× | $74,279 | +19.9% | 24 min | 3 |
| 4 | Caldwell | 50 | 5.0× | $73,058 | +27.4% | 25 min | 3 |
| 5 | Boise | 47 | 5.8× | $83,904 | +1.1% | 19 min | 3 |
Best for retirees, young professionals or families? Every city page shows all four scores, and the city quiz ranks cities by what matters to you.
Largest cities in Idaho
| City | Population 2025 | Growth | Home value | Rent | Income | Price level | Jan high | Jul high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | 238,429 | +1.1% | $484,800 | $1,446 | $83,904 | 98.4 | 39° | 93° |
| Meridian | 142,988 | +21.4% | $531,600 | $1,805 | $100,795 | 98.4 | 39° | 93° |
| Nampa | 120,384 | +19.9% | $370,800 | $1,420 | $74,279 | 98.4 | 40° | 93° |
| Caldwell | 76,629 | +27.4% | $367,300 | $1,264 | $73,058 | 98.4 | 40° | 93° |
| Coeur d'Alene | 58,179 | +6.5% | $483,500 | $1,468 | $72,338 | 98.3 | 36° | 83° |
Taxes in Idaho
Idaho has a flat income tax with a top rate of 5.3% in 2026. The state sales tax is 6%, and with the average local rate added it comes to 6.03%. Source: Tax Foundation, 2026. Local income taxes are not included.
Top parks and sights in Idaho
The Idaho parks, museums, landmarks and natural wonders people know best. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve Dark sky park
- Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Dark sky park
- Lake Pend Oreille Lake
- Coeur D'Alene Lake Lake
- Boise National Forest National forest
- Shoshone Falls Waterfall
- Upper Mesa Falls Waterfall
- Caribou-Targhee National Forest National forest
- Sawtooth National Forest National forest
Places from Wikidata (CC0), ranked by how many Wikipedia language editions cover them.