Moving to Idaho: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Idaho, you’re not alone. The Gem State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Boise and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Idaho, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Idaho to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Idaho
Like any big move, relocating to Idaho comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Gem State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in ID
- ✓Ample economic opportunity
- ✓Low cost of living
- ✓High quality of life
- ✓Beautiful landscapes
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
Cons of living in ID
- ✖Low diversity
- ✖Harsh winters
- ✖Political dominance
- ✖Isolation
- ✖Competitive housing
Things to do in Idaho
Whether you’re moving to Idaho work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Idaho has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Idaho
- Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
- Sun Valley
- Shoshone Falls
- Yellowstone National Park
- Snake River Adventures
- Coeur d’Alene
- Idaho Falls
- Bruneau Dunes State Park
- Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
- Museum of Idaho
Museums in Idaho
- Museum of Clean
- Warhawk Air Museum
- Museum of Idaho
- Legacy Flight Museum
- Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Education Center
- Collector Corner Museum
- Bruneau Dunes Observatory
- The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho
- Idaho Potato Museum
- Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum
Parks in Idaho
- 1. Harriman State Park
- 2. Sawtooth Wilderness Area
- 3. Indian Creek Park
- 4. McEuen Park
- 5. Thousand Springs State Park
- 6. Coeur d’Alene City Park and Independence Point
- 7. Camel’s Back Park
- 8. Eagle Island State Park
- 9. Kathryn Albertson Park
- 10. Settlers Park
Fun facts about Idaho
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Idaho, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The state’s name derived from a Native American word that means “the land of many waters.” The pronunciation is similar to the state’s name.
- Idaho is sometimes referred to as the Gem State. One can find nearly 72 types of precious stones in the state.
- The state grows nearly one-third of America’s potatoes.
- Idaho produces other crops besides potatoes. The state is actually known as the Lentil Capital of the World. It is also known for having one of the largest hops farms in the United States.
- This state is known for having a canyon with an interesting name. The canyon is called Hells Canyon, and it’s 7,900 feet deep. Keep in mind that this is deeper than the Grand Canyon.
- It might sound a little strange, but it is against the law for a man to give his beloved a box of sweets that weighs more than 50 pounds.
- It is illegal for a person to fish while they are riding the back of a camel.
- A person cannot sweep dirt from his or her house into the street. This is a law in Eagle, Idaho where cleanliness is definitely valued by the people in the city.
- This state offers the longest gondola ride in the world, so strap in and enjoy nature from above. The gondola is in the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg.
- The Lake Coeur d’Alene boardwalk is 3,300 feet long and is known as the longest boardwalk in the world.
Idaho population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Idaho, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Gem State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Idaho, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,964,726 |
| Female | 49.7% |
| Male | 50.3% |
| College graduation rate | 30.72% |
| Political leaning | Republican 70-30 |
| Crime index | 11.68 |
Idaho weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Idaho is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Idaho aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 85ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF |
| Annual rain | 18″ |
| Annual snow | 47″ |
Income and cost of living in Idaho
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Idaho.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Idaho and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($10.7 billion)
- Manufacturing ($8.6 billion)
- Professional and business services ($8 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($7 billion)
- Retail trade ($6 billion)
- Construction ($5.1 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($4.6 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($3.5 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($3.1 billion)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($3.1 billion)
| Metric | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,061 |
| Average home cost | $451,520 |
| Average income (per capita) | $70,214 |
| Cost of living index* | 106 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.8% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Idaho
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Idaho has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Idaho:
- University of Idaho
- Boise State University
- Brigham Young University-Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Northwest Nazarene University
- Lewis-Clark State College
- The College of Idaho
- Boise Bible College
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Idaho
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Gem State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to ID
- Arkansas to ID
- Arizona to ID
- California to ID
- Colorado to ID
- Connecticut to ID
- Delaware to ID
- Florida to ID
- Georgia to ID
- Iowa to ID
- Illinois to ID
- Indiana to ID
- Kansas to ID
- Kentucky to ID
- Louisiana to ID
- Massachusetts to ID
- Maryland to ID
- Maine to ID
- Michigan to ID
- Minnesota to ID
- Missouri to ID
- Mississippi to ID
- Montana to ID
- North Carolina to ID
- North Dakota to ID
- Nebraska to ID
- New Hampshire to ID
- New Jersey to ID
- New Mexico to ID
- Nevada to ID
- New York to ID
- Ohio to ID
- Oklahoma to ID
- Oregon to ID
- Pennsylvania to ID
- Rhode Island to ID
- South Carolina to ID
- South Dakota to ID
- Tennessee to ID
- Texas to ID
- Utah to ID
- Virginia to ID
- Vermont to ID
- Washington to ID
- Wisconsin to ID
- West Virginia to ID
- Wyoming to ID
Cost of moving to Idaho
Before you take the leap to Idaho, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Idaho
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Idaho.
Idaho car insurance requirements
Idaho drivers license requirements
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