Moving to Idaho from Washington State: The Honest Cost of Living and Lifestyle Comparison
Washington is 24.4% more expensive than Idaho. That single stat is why my phone rings every week from people in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Olympia who are ready to leave. But cost of living is just the beginning of why this move makes sense.
I’m Brian Hymas, born and raised in the Boise Valley. 35 years here, 120+ transactions, over $100M in sales, Circle of Excellence, RENE designation with JPAR Live Local. I’ve helped dozens of Washington families make this exact move.
The Quick Answer
- Washington is 24.4% more expensive than Idaho across nearly every category
- Housing alone is 20.3% more in Washington, and that’s just rentals. Purchase prices widen the gap
- Idaho has no state sales tax equivalent of Washington’s, and property taxes run well under 1% effectively
- Weather is a massive upgrade: 200+ sunny days vs. Seattle’s gray
- Recreation is comparable but you’ll actually use it because the weather cooperates
- Gun laws, school choice, and conservative governance all favor Idaho
The Cost of Living Breakdown
Here’s what the numbers actually look like when you compare Washington to Idaho:
| Category | Washington vs. Idaho |
|---|---|
| Overall cost of living | 24.4% more expensive in WA |
| Housing (rental) | 20.3% more in WA |
| Childcare | 70% more in WA |
| Entertainment & Sports | 23% more in WA |
| Transportation | 17% more in WA |
| Basic meals / fast food | 13-33% more in WA |
| Clothing | 10% more in WA |
| Groceries | 11.4% more in ID (one of the few WA wins) |
Groceries are slightly cheaper in Washington. Everything else? Idaho wins, and it’s not close.
What I Actually Pay in Idaho
On a $740,000 home (what I sold my last house for), I was paying about $2,500-$3,500 per year in property taxes. Idaho has a homeowner’s exemption that knocks the first $125,000 of assessed value off your tax bill. So you’re not taxed on the full value.
Idaho is a budget-based property tax state, not levy-based. The rate adjusts to meet the budget, which means effective rates stay well under 1%. Compare that to Washington’s roughly 1% property tax rate with no similar exemption structure.
Utilities (gas, electric, power, internet) run me about $250/month. Car insurance is about $300 every six months for two newer vehicles. That’s on the low side for the Valley, but it gives you a baseline.
Home Prices: Idaho’s Top Cities vs. Washington’s
| Idaho Cities | Approx. Median | Washington Cities | Approx. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle | ~$938K | Bellevue | $1.2M+ |
| Boise | ~$540K | Seattle | $850K+ |
| Meridian | ~$535K | Tacoma | $450K |
| Nampa | ~$430K | Everett | $550K |
| Star | ~$610K | Kent | $500K |
| Middleton | ~$528K | Olympia | $450K |
| Coeur d’Alene | $550K | Federal Way | $480K |
Eagle is our premium market. If you’re leaving woke Washington and want the most conservative, well-maintained community in the Treasure Valley, Eagle is your spot. If you want more land and value, Star is the next Meridian and Middleton is the next Eagle.
Weather: Sunshine vs. Gray
This is the category where Idaho embarrasses Washington. A typical September day in Boise? Mid-50s in the morning, mid-80s by afternoon, not a cloud in sight. The Boise River is full of people floating. The Greenbelt is packed with walkers, runners, and bikers.
Idaho gets 200+ days of sunshine per year. Between mid-June and September, you’re looking at consistent warm, dry weather. October brings fall colors. Winter in Boise is mild compared to Eastern Idaho, Northern Idaho, or Salt Lake City. We’ll see half an inch of snow that’s gone by 2 PM.
Two types of Idaho winters: Boise sits in a protected valley pocket. It’s significantly milder than the rest of the state. Snow storms that hammer Eastern Idaho barely touch us.
Natural disasters? We don’t really have them. No tornadoes, no hurricanes, no significant earthquake risk. The one exception is wildfire smoke in summer, and honestly, I see more smoke from California fires drifting over than from Idaho fires.
No termites either. Idaho is one of the only states where FHA loans don’t require a termite inspection. Radon isn’t an issue in the Boise Valley (it’s more of a Northern Idaho concern).
Recreation: Idaho Is a “Do” State
My family was in Orlando about 15 years ago, sitting next to a family visiting every state in five years. They asked what to see in Idaho. Our answer: Idaho isn’t a “see” state. It’s a “do” state.
Within 45 minutes of Boise: – Bogus Basin ski resort – Boise River floating (you don’t even need a life jacket on the easy stretch) – Foothills trail system for hiking and mountain biking – Eagle Island State Park – Lucky Peak Reservoir
Within 2 hours: – Sawtooth Mountains – McCall and Payette Lake – Cascade and Tamarack Resort (skiing + golf) – Kirkham Hot Springs – Highway 55 scenic byway (one of the most beautiful drives in the West)
Around the state: – Shoshone Falls (more water than Niagara when it’s pumping) – Craters of the Moon – Hell’s Canyon (deepest river gorge in North America) – Hiawatha Trail, Lake Coeur d’Alene, Lake Pend Oreille up north – Sand dunes in Eastern Idaho
Washington has incredible beauty too. The Cascades, Olympic National Forest, Puget Sound, the rainforests. I won’t diss Washington’s scenery. But here’s the difference: in Idaho, the weather lets you actually use it. No torrential downpour cutting your camping trip short. No gray skies making you rethink the hike.
Shopping and Daily Life
People always ask about the stores. Here’s what we have: – Costco (3 locations, 4th coming) – Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods (downtown Boise) – Albertsons (headquartered here) and WinCo (also headquartered here) – Fred Meyer (yes, we have it, familiar for Washington folks) – The Village at Meridian: 100+ stores, restaurants, theater. Best shopping experience in the Valley
And no, we don’t have tent cities. Pike Place Market in Seattle apparently has a different feel these days. Boise’s public spaces, malls, and downtown are clean, safe, and walkable. Date night, family walks, any part of town, any time of day.
Gun Laws
Idaho is a constitutional carry state. You can conceal carry in most locations without a permit. Washington has prohibited the sale of assault weapons as of recent legislation.
Idaho loves its guns. School shootings here are essentially at zero. The Second Amendment is taken seriously and broadly supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cheaper is Idaho than Washington overall?
Washington is 24.4% more expensive on average. Housing, childcare, transportation, entertainment, and dining are all significantly more expensive in Washington. Groceries are one of the few categories where Washington is slightly cheaper.
What’s the weather like in Boise compared to Seattle?
Night and day. Boise gets 200+ sunny days per year. Winters are mild with minimal snow. Summers are warm and dry. Seattle averages about 150 cloudy days. If seasonal depression is a factor, Boise will change your life.
Are there good schools in the Boise area?
Yes. West Ada School District (serving Meridian, Eagle, Star) and Boise School District both have strong ratings. Idaho has open enrollment statewide. Research individual schools on GreatSchools.org.
How far is Boise from North Idaho?
About 6-7 hours to Coeur d’Alene. They’re essentially different regions. If you’re near Spokane or Pullman, crossing into North Idaho is quick. For the Treasure Valley, you’re looking at Southern Idaho lifestyle.
Is Boise safe?
Yes. There’s not really a “bad part of town” in the traditional sense. If a price tag seems low for what looks like a nice area, that’s your only flag. Overall, Boise is clean, safe, and family-friendly throughout.
Do I need to change my Washington plates immediately?
You have 90 days by law. Most transplants I work with change them immediately. It’s a respect thing, and frankly, Washington plates attract some eye rolls from locals.
Ready to leave Washington for Idaho? I help families from the Seattle metro, Tacoma, Olympia, and beyond land in the right Treasure Valley community every week. Let’s get you on the Buying in Boise Blueprint.
Call or text: 208-891-4200 | Email: Brian@BrianHymas.com | Website: brianhymas.com
Brian Hymas | JPAR Live Local | 35 years in the Treasure Valley | 120+ transactions | $100M+ in sales | Circle of Excellence | RENE
Where to go next
If this article helped, use these links to keep moving through the Boise Valley resource library instead of starting over.
Price references above are rounded from May 2026 MLS aggregate data for single-family and acreage homes; they move month to month.
About the author
Brian Hymas
I've spent 35 years in the Treasure Valley — born in Boise, raised in Meridian, lived in Eagle for 8 years, now on acreage in Middleton. Before I was an agent, I was an appraiser. That means I see homes differently than most. I've closed over 120 transactions and more than $100M in sales, but the number I'm most proud of is the families who moved here from California, Washington, and beyond and said it was the best decision they ever made. There's a lot more to the story.
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