Is the valley right for you?

Moving to Boise: the 2026 guide

Moving to Boise comes down to three things: picking a city in the valley, budgeting for housing that costs more than the U.S.

First deadlines

Idaho driver’s license and vehicle title within 30 days

Taxes

5.3% flat income tax; 6% sales tax, groceries included

Pros & cons

The Boise area offers low crime, short commutes (20.0 minutes on average in Boise against 27.2 for the U.S.), sunny four-season weather and easy access to the outdoors.

Biggest pro

Safety and outdoor access: low crime, a 46-mile river Greenbelt, mountains close by

Biggest con

Housing costs vs pay: homes about $492,000 while median household income is about $89,000

Is Boise safe?

Yes, by national standards.

Violent crime, Boise

2.9 per 1,000 residents (2025) vs 3.3 U.S.

Property crime, Boise

8.7 per 1,000 residents (2025) vs 15.3 U.S.

Boise vs other cities

Compared with most West Coast and big-city metros, Boise has cheaper homes and rents and a moderate 5.3% flat income tax.

Overall prices

Boise 98.4 vs U.S. 100 (2024)

Typical home

About $492,000 vs $950,000 in Los Angeles (Sept 2026)

Moving from CA, WA or OR

Most West Coast movers pay much less for housing in the Boise area, and Californians and Oregonians usually pay less income tax.

Income tax

Idaho 5.3% flat; CA up to 13.3%, OR up to 9.9%, WA none on wages

Sales tax

Idaho 6.03% average, groceries included; CA 9.03%, WA 9.57%, OR none

Boise vs Meridian

Pick Boise if you want a shorter commute (20.0 minutes against 23.6), walkable neighborhoods, foothills trails and the valley's best bus service.

Population

Boise 238,429; Meridian 142,988 (Census estimate, July 2025)

Typical home value

Boise about $500,000; Meridian about $536,000 (Zillow, Sept 2026)

Meridian vs Nampa

Choose Meridian for a newer suburb, West Ada schools and a shorter commute (23.6 minutes against 25.6).

Population

Meridian 142,988; Nampa 120,384 (Census estimate, July 2025)

Typical home value

Meridian about $536,000; Nampa about $415,000 (Zillow, Sept 2026)

Eagle vs Star

Choose Eagle for a small walkable downtown, larger lots and a shorter drive to Boise (about 20 to 25 minutes), and accept the valley's highest prices: a typical home is about $785,000.

Population

Eagle 34,658; Star 20,874 (Census estimate, July 2025)

Typical home value

Eagle about $785,000; Star about $583,000 (Zillow, Sept 2026)

Moving from California to Idaho

Most Californians pay less in the Boise area for housing, income tax, sales tax and car registration.

Income tax

Idaho 5.3% flat; California up to 13.3% on income above $1 million

Sales tax

Idaho 6.03% average, groceries included; California 9.03% (midyear 2026)

Moving from Washington to Idaho

Washington has no tax on wages, so Idaho's flat 5.3% income tax is a new cost for most movers.

Income tax

Idaho 5.3% flat; Washington none on wages (9.9% above $1 million from 2028, in court)

Sales tax

Idaho 6.03% average, groceries included; Washington 9.57% (midyear 2026)

Moving from Oregon to Idaho

Oregonians usually pay less income tax in Idaho (a flat 5.3% against Oregon's top rate of 9.9%) but pay a sales tax for the first time, about 6.03% on average, groceries included.

Income tax

Idaho 5.3% flat; Oregon up to 9.9% on taxable income above $125,000 (single)

Sales tax

Idaho 6.03% average, groceries included; Oregon none

Treasure Valley Move-In Report

In Sept 2026, a typical Treasure Valley home was worth $492,000, up 1.7% from a year earlier, against $366,000 for the U.S.