Idaho\u2019s key industries include aerospace, tourism, outdoor recreation, energy, and agriculture. The state also grows more potatoes<\/a> than any other state in the U.S. Statewide, the median household income is $58,915<\/a>, and the Idaho Department of Labor projects industry job growth<\/a> in a range of industries from healthcare to wholesale to mining.<\/p>\n Energy costs in Idaho average 11.38 cents\/kWh<\/a>, which falls below the U.S. average of 15.42 cents\/kWh. Idaho ranks fourth in the U.S. for their use of renewable energy sources, which generated 74%<\/a> of electricity in the state in 2021.<\/p>\n Average property tax rates<\/a> are divided into urban and rural rates, and we\u2019ll list them both for each county. Idaho property taxes typically fall below the national average<\/a> which factors into an overall lower cost of living in the Idaho<\/a> versus other states in the U.S.<\/p>\n To determine the cheapest places to buy a house in Idaho, we looked at median home values, median income (in 2020 dollars), and the cost of living index. Keep in mind that these variables are subject to change and are also dependent on each individual\u2019s lifestyle and expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Home prices in Idaho have been steadily increasing since 2020, but there are still many affordable places to buy a home. Work with a trust agent today to find your perfect home – without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n \n Population<\/b>: 2,845<\/a> Filer is a small town in Twin Falls County just on the outskirts of Twin Falls. The town enjoys a sense of small town community but with added amenities in the neighboring towns. Every year they host the Magic Valley Stampede<\/a> at the Twin Falls County Fair, a PRCA rodeo that spans three days.<\/p>\n Home prices in Filer are up 13.5% from February 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 62 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 5,810<\/a> As one of Idaho\u2019s best kept secrets<\/a>, Weiser places a strong focus on their community \u2014 their town slogan, \u201cWe love our kids, our community, and our country,\u201d is proudly proclaimed on their town signs<\/a>. It is home to the National Oldtime Fiddlers\u2019 Contest, a nationally known event where fiddlers showdown and the town comes together. It is located in western Idaho, just across from the Oregon border and just over an hour away from Boise.<\/p>\n Home prices in Weiser are up 12.0% from August 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 66 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 12,332<\/a> On the eastern side of the state, Blackfoot lies in between Idaho Falls and Pocatello. It is known as the Potato Capital of the World and is home to the Idaho Potato Museum<\/a>. Much of the employment in the town is thanks to its potato crops. Blackfoot is settled near the Blackfoot Mountains to the east, though much of the range is privately owned.<\/p>\n Home prices in Blackfoot are up 28.2% from October of 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 49 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 57,092<\/a> Historic Downtown Pocatello offers a range of activities from food and drink to art and fashion settled in historic buildings near the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city offers easy access to the mountain range where you can drive ATVs, bike, and run (or walk).<\/p>\n Home prices in Pocatello are up 21.7% from October 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 38 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 3,135<\/a> The Salmon River runs right through the town and mountain views can be seen from just about anywhere. As with much of Idaho, it\u2019s surrounded by public land, so you can spend the day driving an ATV around the mountains, fishing the river, hiking, or camping \u2014 take a sweater, sometimes it snows in the mountains in June!<\/p>\n Two restaurants highly recommended by locals include Junkyard Bistro \u2014 get the pasta \u2014 and Bertram\u2019s Salmon Valley Brewery \u2014 get the Hazelnut Ale. Salmon is also known for the Salmon Select Sale<\/a>, a horse and mule auction. But even if you aren\u2019t in the market for a horse or mule, it\u2019s a great time to hang out with community members, check out vendors, and get a drink.<\/p>\n Home prices in Salmon are up 17.3% from October 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 58 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 761<\/a> Challis is a tiny town about an hour south of Salmon, but it\u2019s not without its charms \u2014 it offers a lot in the way of outdoor recreation. The Challis Hot Springs<\/a>, a naturally occurring pool of water that rises from the earth\u2019s crust. It is geothermally heated, so it offers a relaxing place to let the stress of everyday life wash away. You can also visit the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park<\/a> which offers ghost towns, Wild West shooting reenactments, and access to public land for hiking, ATVs, camping, and more.<\/p>\n Home prices in Challis are up 19.7% from September 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 91 days, 21 days less than September 2020.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 7,819<\/a> Emmett is the largest city in Gem County \u2014 it\u2019s also the only city in Gem County, though there are smaller, unincorporated towns like Bramwell and Letha. The Gem Island Sports Complex<\/a> offers baseball fields, a skate board park, an amphitheater, walking paths, and a stocked fish pond. The city also offers access to the Boise National Forest<\/a> with 113 sq. miles of open public access.<\/p>\n Home prices in Emmett are up just 1.1% from July 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 53 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 16,235<\/a> Mountain Home Air Force Base is located southwest of Mountain Home and is home to the 366th Fighter Wing and a daily base population of 9,193 people, including civilians and military dependents. Mountain Home\u2019s downtown is undergoing a revitalization aimed at encouraging local entrepreneurs and bringing in outside businesses. As you can probably guess by now, Mountain Home also offers lots of access to outdoor recreation and is home to Danskin Peak Lookout Tower, Long Gulch Falls, Big Fiddler Creek Falls, and more.<\/p>\n Home prices in Mountain Home are up 16.9% from May 2020, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 48 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 1,552<\/a> Osburn is a narrow strip of town sandwiched between two mountain ranges in the Silver Mining Valley mining region, just south of the Coeur d\u2019Alene National forest in northern Idaho. Though the town offers museums and the Sierra Silver Mine Tour<\/a>, much of what it has to offer will take you out of town and into the mountains that surround it.<\/p>\n Home prices in Osburn are up 27.3% from May 2021, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 61 days.<\/p>\n Population<\/b>: 3,219<\/a> The St. Joe River that flows through Saint Maries offers whitewater, fishing, swimming, camping, and hiking. You can also do some fly fishing and boating and there are companies in the area that offer guided boating trips. Outdoor activities reign supreme, but it also offers quaint downtown shopping, Paul Bunyan Days, and \u201cRace the Joe\u201d Jet Boat Races.<\/p>\n Home prices in Saint Maries are down 10.4% from May 2021, and homes are staying on the market for an average of 63 days.<\/p>\n![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Looking For an Affordable Home in Idaho?<\/h3>\n
1. Filer<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home price:<\/b> $298,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $41,250<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 13% lower<\/a> than the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Twin Falls
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.1513%; Rural – 0.991%<\/p>\n2. Weiser<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home price<\/b>: $273,495<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $37,552<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 14% lower<\/a> than than the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Washington
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.431%; Rural 0.817%<\/p>\n3. Blackfoot<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home price<\/b>: $257,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $52,360<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 15% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Bingham
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.922%; Rural – 0.841%<\/p>\n4. Pocatello<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home price<\/b>: $255,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $46,882<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 14% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Bannock
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.631%; Rural – 0.841%<\/p>\n5. Salmon<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home value<\/b>: $238,500<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $36,038<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 10% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Lemhi
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 0.929%; Rural – 0.512%<\/p>\n6. Challis<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home value<\/b>: $143,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $21,640<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 6% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Custer
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 0.748%; Rural – 0.509%<\/p>\n7. Emmett<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home value<\/b>: $245,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $39,719<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 12% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Gem
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 0.838%; Rural – 0.428%<\/p>\n8. Mountain Home<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home value<\/b>: $261,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $44,039<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 8% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Elmore
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.406%; Rural – 0.655%<\/p>\n9. Osburn<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home value<\/b>: $266,250<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $46,149<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 9% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Shoshone
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.587%; Rural – 1.092%<\/p>\n10. Saint Maries<\/h2>\n
\nMedian home value<\/b>: $300,000<\/a>
\nMedian household income<\/b>: $47,532<\/a>
\nCost of living<\/b>: 5% below<\/a> the national average
\nCounty<\/b>: Benewah
\nProperty tax rate<\/b>: Urban – 1.249%; Rural – 0.921%<\/p>\n