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The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Idaho

Burley

All things considered, Idaho isn't the most expensive of places. It boasts some of the lowest utility costs, lowest healthcare costs, and lowest housing costs in the nation. But no matter how low its median living cost is, it can always get lower. If you want to save every last cent you can, these are the 10 cheapest places to live in Idaho. They won't increase your paycheck, but they'll certainly help it stretch further.

Chubbuck

10. Chubbuck

The Pocatello suburb of Pocatello has a lot to recommend it. Not only is it within easy driving distance of the attractions and amenities of Pocatello, but it also boasts a very attractive cost of living. Just $176,300 should be enough to buy a family home, while $846 will be enough to rent one. It's a little more expensive than the other cities on our list, but considering the median income of $59,459 is the highest of any of our entries, the folk of Chubbuck probably don't feel too aggrieved.

Idaho Falls

9. Idaho Falls

If you thought low prices always went hand in hand with low desirabilty, then prepare to have your preconceptions shattered. Idaho Falls is an affluent city with a booming economy, excellent job prospects, and a stellar location that puts you within easy reach of the delights of the Rocky Mountains, the Snake River, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons national parks. Events like the Roaring Youth Jam, the War Bonnet Rodeo, and the Liberty Festival On the Falls Fourth of July celebration offer plenty of family-friendly fun. The range of coffee shops, independent stores, and antique stores in the town will keep you in caffeine and candelabras for life. The real perk, though, is the cost of goods, services, and accommodation - expect to pay just $140,00 for a home and a lot less for a haircut than you would elsewhere in the state.

Pocatello

8. Pocatello

Typically, rural areas are cheaper than big towns. But not always. Case in point - Pocatello, a large city of 55,525 residents (that may not sound big by most standards, but this is Idaho, and here, it's huge). With a median home price of just $148,200, Pocatello could give most rural areas a serious run for their money in the affordability stakes. If the combination of tiny prices and big lights sounds like your idea of fun, it's a no-brainer.

Mountain Home

7. Mountain Home

Mountain Home is a city that likes to celebrate. The Endless Summer of Beer Festival held each summer is practically legendary. The Airforce Appreciation Day Parade isn't exactly shabby, either. Figuring out the reason for all the jubilation doesn't take a lot of work. With a median home price of just $144,200 and ridiculously cheap goods and services, Mountain Home residents clearly have as much of an eye for a bargain as they do a marching band and a glass of something frosty.

Nampa

6. Nampa

Back in 2016, Liveability named Nampa as one of the cheapest cities in Idaho. 5 years later, it still is. The median home price may have increased from the $109,900 it was back then, but not so much that you'll notice a difference in your wallet. The cost of goods and services remains incredibly affordable. If you love golf just as much as you do a good deal, you're in luck - Nampa boasts three top golf courses in the form of Ridgecrest Golf Club, Centennial Golf Course, and RedHawk Public Golf Course.

Jerome

5. Jerome

If you live and breathe city life, don't move to Jerome. Located in one of the state's most rural regions, this is a town where the cows outnumber the people 20 to 1. If, on the other hand, you'd happily sacrifice coffee shops and clubs for a low mortgage or an equally tiny rent, don't hesitate. The median rent is a tiny $779 per month. $128,800 should be enough to get you a very decently sized family home. And if that urge for a city fix ever gets too much, Boise is just a two hours drive away.

Payette

4. Payette

House prices may be rising on an almost daily basis across most of the nation, but Payette clearly didn't get the memo. A property in this little city will cost you just $118,200 - nearly half the national average. Rent is equally affordable with a median of just $760 per month. Combined with a respectable median income of $47,607, the town's residents must have a lot to celebrate each time the week-long Apple Blosson Festival rolls around.

Blackfoot

3. Blackfoot

There's more to Blackfoot than the weird but wonderful Idaho Potato Museum. For a start, there's the small, friendly community. Then there's the plethora of outdoor attractions on its doorsteps. Most crucially of all, there's the cost of living, which ranks as one of the lowest in Idaho. As Home Snacks points out, the rent is absurdly cheap - if you want to pay just $650 for your accommodation (which, just to put into perspective, is less than half the Idaho average), this is the place to do it. The cost of buying a home is equally attractive at just $136,700.

Rubert

2. Rubert

The cost of goods and services in Rubert is 11 percent lower than the national average. 11 percent isn't to be sniffed at, but, ultimately, a few cents saved on a beer here and a movie ticket there probably won't be enough to convince you to pack up and move in. What might is the house prices. According to Area Vibes, the cost of buying and renting a home in the city is a whopping 45 percent lower than the average.

Burley

1. Burley

If you're an adrenaline junkie, Burley might be your ideal home. Located on the south bank of Snake River, the town is a haven for outdoor lovers, with everything from boating and fishing to waterskiing and windsurfing on offer. As The Crazy Tourist says, Burley is also within easy reach of one of Idaho's most famous ski resorts, not to mention acres of forests, lakes, and the geological delights of City of Rocks. But no matter how great its natural attractions, they pale in comparison to its monetary ones. With a median rental price of just $669 and a median home value of $128,100, it has some of the cheapest accommodation in Idaho. Thanks to a median income of $48,265, it also has one of the state's most favorable home price to income ratios.

Dana Hanson

Written by Dana Hanson

Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology.

Read more posts by Dana Hanson

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