Moving to Star, Idaho: What Nobody Tells You About This Fast-Growing Town

Star, Idaho doubled its population in 12 years. From under 6,000 people in 2010 to about 12,000 in 2022. That kind of growth usually means one of two things: either a town is genuinely great, or the land was cheap and developers got there first. In Star’s case, it’s both.

I’m Brian Hymas. I’ve spent 35 years in the Treasure Valley, closed over 120 transactions totaling more than $100M in sales, and earned Circle of Excellence honors and the RENE designation with JPAR Live Local. I’ve sold homes in Star and I live in neighboring Middleton. Here’s the honest breakdown.

The Quick Answer

• Median home price: about $610K. More bang for your buck than Eagle next door
• Highest home sale in Star history: $2.9M (sold at that price within $10 twice, in 2018 and 2020)
• Average commute: 27 minutes to work in the Boise metro
• Star is what Eagle was 20 years ago. Buy now, watch it grow
• The feel: Rural, mountain views, open spaces, tight-knit community. Three stoplights
• Costco, Fred Meyer, and Winco are 10-15 minutes away in Meridian. No major stores in Star itself
• Lots of police and fire relocating here from California. Retired or still practicing, drawn to the seclusion without the long commute

Why People Are Moving to Star

It’s the fifth-fastest growing city in the Boise Valley. And people are choosing it over Meridian and Eagle for three reasons: space, price, and peace.

Star still feels rural. You can see mountains from most neighborhoods. Open spaces haven’t been completely swallowed by subdivisions yet. Kids ride four-wheelers on public land behind their neighborhoods. My friend Lance lives in Hillsdale subdivision, and his kids and their friends take off on four-wheelers into open land regularly. Try that in Eagle.

Police and fire professionals love Star. I’ve worked with several law enforcement and fire department families who relocated from California. They chose Star specifically because it’s secluded enough to feel like a getaway but close enough to the metro that commuting isn’t a problem.

Star Housing Market

The typical Star home has 3-4 garage bays, and yes, one is usually an RV bay. People use them for motorhomes, storage, or (my favorite use) putting up a basketball hoop for year-round shooting.

Here’s the value comparison that matters: I just sold a $1.7M home in Eagle. New build, tiny lot (about 4,000 sq ft), on a pond in Legacy. In Star, that same $1.7M gets you vastly more house and vastly more land. You’re right next door to Eagle, but your dollar goes further.

The acreage premium is real. A recent Star sale: 5.4 acres with a 2,000 sq ft home for $1.35M. In Eagle, that acreage alone would cost more.

The Community Feel

Star is a tight-knit town where people actually know their neighbors. It’s family-oriented, clean, and has a ton of open space. If you’re coming from a larger metro, the pace difference will hit you immediately. Two or three stoplights. No traffic jams. Kids playing outside unsupervised. That’s Star.

This isn’t a bedroom community where everyone drives to work and ignores each other. People here chose Star on purpose.

Shopping, Groceries, and Restaurants

Let me be honest: Star is limited on commercial options. Here’s what you’ve got:

• Ridley’s (east side of town, grocery)
• Albertsons (west side, brand new)
• Epic Car Wash (next to Albertsons, monthly pass available)
• Dairy Queen
• ICCU (Idaho Central Credit Union)
• Subway
• A few local shops
• Maverick and Chevron gas stations
• Ace Hardware
• Les Schwab Tires (we love Les Schwab in Idaho)

For Costco, Winco, Fred Meyer, or any major retailer, you’re driving 10-20 minutes to North Meridian. From the closest point in Star, it’s about 10 minutes. From the furthest point, under 20. The drive into Meridian is usually low or no traffic, which makes it painless.

Cost of Living

National data sites rate Star’s housing at 148% of the US average. That number is somewhat misleading because it weights housing heavily, and Star’s housing prices reflect the land (acreage) that comes with many properties.

The real picture: if you’re carrying equity from a home sale in California, Washington, or Oregon, your cost of living in Star will feel extremely low. Groceries, gas, and everyday expenses are comparable to anywhere else in the Boise Valley. The housing premium is really about what you’re getting: more land, more garage, more space.

Star vs Eagle

This is the comparison everyone makes. The short version:

Here’s my updated take — and it’s different from what most people say: Star is not the next Eagle. Star is the next Meridian. Middleton is the next Eagle. Star is growing fast and getting denser, just like Meridian did. Middleton still has the land, the seclusion, and the community feel that Eagle had 20 years ago. If you want to buy into the next Eagle, you’re looking in the wrong city.

Eagle has the mature landscaping, the established commercial corridors, and the polish. It also has the price tag. Star has the space, the views, the rural feel, and prices that let you get more for less. They’re literally next door to each other.

If you need the polished suburban feel right now, Eagle is your play. If you’re buying for long-term appreciation and want space today, Star is the smarter move.

Star vs Eagle — And Why Everyone Gets This Wrong

Everybody says Star is the next Eagle. I used to say it too. I don’t anymore.

Here’s my updated take: Star is the next Meridian. Middleton is the next Eagle.

Star is growing fast, getting denser, and filling in with commercial corridors — exactly what Meridian did 15 years ago. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s a different thing. If you’re buying Star for the long-term rural feel, understand that the rural feel has a shorter runway than most people think.

Middleton still has the land, the seclusion, the river access, and the community identity that Eagle had 20 years ago before the money found it. If you want to buy into the next Eagle at pre-Eagle prices, Middleton is where you should be looking — not Star.

Star is still a great buy. Just know what you’re actually buying into.

What to Watch

Infrastructure. Star is growing fast, and like any small town experiencing rapid growth, the roads and services need to keep pace. There are only two or three stoplights. The infrastructure has been adequate so far, but it’s something to monitor.

Highway 16 expansion. This freeway extension will benefit Star residents by improving connectivity to the main freeway corridor. Less reliance on back roads to reach the metro.

FAQ

Is Star, Idaho a good place to live? If you value rural living with mountain views, a tight-knit community, and you don’t mind a 15-minute drive for major shopping, Star is excellent. The growth trajectory suggests it will only get better.

How far is Star from Boise? Average commute is about 27 minutes to work in the Boise metro. Costco and Fred Meyer in North Meridian are 10-15 minutes away.

What are home prices in Star, Idaho? Median is around $550K. You can find homes from $333K to $1.7M+. Acreage properties command a premium but still offer more value than comparable land in Eagle.

Is Star cheaper than Eagle? Significantly. For what a $1.7M home on a tiny lot in Eagle costs, you can get vastly more house and land in Star. The median price gap is substantial.

What stores are in Star, Idaho? Ridley’s and Albertsons for groceries. Ace Hardware, Les Schwab, Dairy Queen, Subway, and a few local shops. Major retailers are 10-20 minutes away in Meridian.

Will Star, Idaho keep growing? All signs point to yes. The population doubled in 12 years, the Highway 16 expansion will improve access, and the Boise Valley’s overall growth trajectory continues to push development westward.

Thinking about Star? I’ve sold homes here and live in neighboring Middleton. I know this area inside and out.

Call/text: 208-891-4200 | Email: Brian@BrianHymas.com | Visit: brianhymas.com

Price references above are rounded from May 2026 MLS aggregate data for single-family and acreage homes; they move month to month.