Moving to Idaho: where to live, and why most people pick Boise

Where do most people live in Idaho?

The Boise area. About 865,000 of Idaho's roughly 2 million residents live in the Boise metro, which covers Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Kuna, Star, and the surrounding towns. It's where most of the state's jobs, hospitals, and flights are.

The rest of the state is spread out. Trips here are measured in hours, not minutes.

How do Idaho's main regions compare?

Prices come from different sources and aren't a perfect comparison. They're a starting point. Drive times are approximate.

Why do most people moving to Idaho choose Boise?

Four reasons come up again and again:

• Jobs. The Boise area has the state's biggest concentration of employers, including Micron's headquarters, two major hospital systems in St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus, and a large remote-work crowd.

• Flights. Boise Airport served more than 5.2 million passengers in 2025 and offers 27 nonstop destinations.

• City life with the outdoors close by. Foothills trails, the Boise River, and a ski area all sit within about 40 minutes of downtown.

• A choice of neighborhoods from the walkable North End to new construction in Star, covering most budgets.

What is Idaho's weather like?

It depends on where you are. Boise is high desert: it averages about 11.5 inches of precipitation a year, summers are hot and dry, and winters are cold with some snow. North Idaho, around Coeur d'Alene, is greener, wetter, and snowier. East Idaho has the longest, coldest winters of the major regions.

If you're coming from the coast, the dry air is the first thing you'll notice.

What are taxes like in Idaho?

Idaho has a 5.3% state income tax for 2026, with the first $4,811 of taxable income ($9,622 for married couples filing jointly) taxed at 0%. That's lower than California or Oregon, but Washington movers will pay more, since Washington doesn't tax wages.

The state sales tax is 6%. Property taxes are set by local taxing districts, and homeowners can take up to $125,000 off their home's taxable value with the homeowner's exemption.

See the full Boise cost of living breakdown →

Is Idaho a good fit for you?

Idaho suits people who want more space, less traffic, and the outdoors close to home. It's a harder fit if you need a big-city job market, lots of direct flights beyond the West, or a short drive to the ocean.

Visit in two seasons before you decide, if you can. February and August show you the extremes. I'll tell you straight whether the Boise area fits your situation or whether another part of the state makes more sense.