How Much Does it Cost To Move to Idaho in 2021?
Posted in: I'm Moving, Long Distance Moving Advice, Money SavingWhat’s the west coast move nobody talks about?
Guess what: Idaho has statistically become one of the hottest U.S. destinations. If you’re wondering why, the truth is that it has lots to offer its residents: beautiful seasons, low crime, and a booming job market with a low cost of living (Idaho ranks #19 in the U.S. for exactly that). It’s no wonder Idaho has been among the most popular states to move to over the past couple of years.
If you’re thinking about making a move to Idaho, you might be wondering how much it’ll cost. Below are moving and cost of living prices based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates.*
Idaho Moving Costs in 2021
Avg. Cost of an Idaho Move (Labor-only) – $381
Avg. Cost of an Idaho Move (Movers + Truck) – $877
Avg. Cost of a Long-Distance Move w/ ID Destination ~ $1,000-$5,000
Why the huge range? Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and nailing down an exact price of moving long-distance is tough. There are so many factors that go into the price of moving to Idaho, not limited to the size of your home/number of rooms you’re moving, what type of moving service you choose, the number of miles you’re traveling to get there, the time of year, whether you’re also having your car shipped, and surprisingly even more factors.
If you want a stress-free look at what your move to Idaho might cost, there are people who can assess your move and tell you for free.
Avg. Time and Distance of an Idaho Move – 2.82 Hours
Avg. Distance of an Idaho Move – 29.56 Miles
The average length of time of a move that features an origin, destination, or both within Idaho is just under three hours, while the average distance traveled is just about 30 miles.
How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?
$17 less, on avg.
The average cost of Idaho moving labor services is $381.03, which is near the national average; Idaho movers cost $16.80 less compared to the U.S. as a whole. (Across all move types and services, it costs $397.83 to move locally anywhere within the country, on average.)
The national average timeframe for moving is also three hours, and items are transported an average of 36 miles. What service you order for your move makes a difference, though.
The Current State of Moving to Idaho in 2021
The past year and a half has been big for relocating in general. Thanks to the pandemic, a record number of Americans lost their jobs. Still, even more millions quit in record numbers as part of a phenomenon dubbed the “Great Recession”, in which many workers decided they wanted to change careers or find a role with better wages and benefits. Additionally, others opted to stay home instead of working to shoulder unpaid caregiving duties, or due to ongoing health concerns.
Combined with a nationwide shift to working from home, this gave many people the opportunity (or necessity) to relocate, particularly to lower cost of living areas. One state that has possibly benefited from more incoming residents than any other is Idaho. According to HireAHelper data covering thousands of moves, Idaho was the top destination state during the pandemic, with twice as many people moving in than out (a net gain of 103%).
Even before the pandemic, people were increasingly leaving big coastal cities for places like Idaho, especially millennials. In fact, Boise has been called the best city for millennials to live in the entire U.S.
Idaho is also close to the west coast but has much lower tax rates and a slower pace of life. The unemployment rate in Idaho has also been consistently low, even during the pandemic. The tech industry is booming in this state, particularly in Boise, presenting a great opportunity for remote tech workers in expensive areas like California’s Silicon Valley to easily relocate and save money. Combine all this with a low crime rate, great outdoor recreation and the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons each year, and it’s easy to understand why younger adults would want to live here.
More 2021 Idaho Moving Stats
Avg. Cost of a Local Idaho Move, by Moving Service
Given multiple moving options available to you, there are many pros and cons to each, including the price. The average Idaho moving service costs in 2021 were as follows:
Avg. Cost of Labor-only Moving Services
| Transportation Type | Avg. Labor-Only |
| Container | $368 |
| Truck | $392 |
| Trailer | $491 |
Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services in Idaho by Job Type
Hiring labor-only saves people money, but which end of the move you hire for statistically makes a difference. The average cost of moving services by job type versus the U.S. average is as follows:
| U.S. Average | ID Average | |
| Moving on-site only | $309 | $259 |
| Moves with only unloading help | $343 | $346 |
| Moves with only loading help | $396 | $382 |
| Full move w/ both loading and unloading booked together | $573 | $645 |
Which Cities in Idaho Are Growing and Shrinking?
Most popular Idaho city by population net-gain ratio – Boise, ID
Boise is by far the most popular destination city, especially among younger adults. There are plenty of jobs available and great recreation options, making it a great place to work and raise a family.
Least popular Idaho city by population net-loss ratio – Nampa, ID
Most Affordable Idaho Cities (by “Median Home Value” and “Household Income”)
Here’s a closer look at how five of the most affordable cities’ income and housing numbers compare to the state average, according to various sources like Zillow and the U.S. Census data available as of 2021.*
| Zillow Home Value | Median Household Income | |
| Nampa | $416,239 | $48,846 |
| Coeur d’Alene | $554,918 | $51,073 |
| Twin Falls | $332,819 | $50,739 |
| Lewiston | $330,698 | $56,479 |
| Idaho Falls | $325,862 | $53,148 |
| Idaho avg | $436,922 | $55,785 |
*Based on 2020 Census data expressed in 2019 dollars
Cost of Moving WITHIN Idaho
When moving locally (defined as a move of 50 miles or less), Idaho moving costs range between about $250 on the low end to $600 on the high end, depending on the origin city.
Least Expensive Moves in Idaho by Origin City (Avg. for local move)
| City | Average Move Cost |
| Kuna | $261 |
| Star | $295 |
| Caldwell | $313 |
| Boise | $314 |
| Meridian | $338 |
| Nampa | $358 |
Most Expensive Moves in Idaho by Origin City (Avg. for local move)
| City | Average Move Cost |
| Eagle | $367 |
| Middleton | $464 |
| Post Falls | $492 |
| Coeur d’Alene | $523 |
| Hayden | $595 |
| Idaho Falls | $600 |
| Coeur d’Alene | $611 |
What Are Idaho’s 2021 Tax Rates?
Moving involves many outside expenses, including packing supplies and hiring help to move. However, as you’re budgeting for a move, you can’t forget about the local costs of living. And maybe the biggest local consideration is how much you’ll pay in taxes.
Below is a breakdown of Idaho’s tax rates.
Sales taxes in Idaho include:
- Idaho income tax rate: 6.925%
- Idaho sales tax rate: 6.00%
- Idaho local sales tax rate: 0.03%
- Idaho gasoline tax rate: 33¢
- Idaho cigarette tax rate: $0.57 (per 20-pack)
Idaho income tax rates are as follows:
| Single & Married Filing Sep. | Married Filing Jointly & Head of Household | Tax Rate |
| $0 – $1,587 | $0 – $3,175 | 1.0% |
| $1,588 – $4,762 | $3,176 – $9,525 | 3.1% |
| $4,736 – $6,350 | $9,526 – $12,701 | 4.5% |
| $6,351 – $7,938 | $12,702 – $15,877 | 5.5% |
| $7,939+ | $15,878+ | 5.5% |
Idaho may not be as glamorous as a state like California or Florida. But residents know that it’s a hidden gem. Not only is it one of the most affordable states to live in, but it also boasts a great overall quality of life. So if you’re looking to relocate, you may want to consider a move to Idaho. Just be sure to plan for the short- and long-term costs of your move.
Need help finding Idaho movers? Sort Idaho movers by quality and price here.
