Moving to Idaho in 2023: How Much Does it Cost?
Posted in: I'm Moving, Moving AdviceWhat’s the West Coast move nobody ever talks about?
Believe it or not, 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 rates, and a booming job market with a relatively low cost of living. It’s no wonder Idaho has been rated the 3rd best state overall, according to U.S. News & World Report.
And if you’re thinking about making the move to Idaho, you might be wondering how much it’ll cost. Below are average moving costs based on thousands of moves booked through HireAHelper and their affiliates.*
Idaho Moving Costs in 2023
- Avg. Cost of an Idaho Move (Labor-only): $370
- Avg. Cost of an Idaho Move (Movers + Truck): $1,288
- Avg. Cost of a Long-Distance Move w/ ID Destination: ~ $600 – $8,000
Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and nailing down an exact price of moving — especially 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, and whether you’re also having your car shipped.
- Avg. Timeframe for an Idaho Move: 2.8 Hours
- Avg. Distance of an Idaho Move: 16.5 Miles
The average time spent on a move that features an origin, destination, or both within Idaho is just under three hours, while the average distance traveled is 16.5 miles.
How Do These Figures Compare to Other States?
It takes about $26 less to move to Iowa than the national average. Across all move types and services, it costs an average of $396 to move locally anywhere within the country.
“When moving locally (defined as a move of 50 miles or less), Idaho moving costs range between about $325 on the low end to $600 on the high end, depending on the origin city.”
The national average timeframe for moving is three hours — just 12 minutes longer than the Idaho average. Items are transported an average of 71 miles, which is nearly 55 miles farther than an Idaho move. The specific moving services you use will make a difference, though. And, as always, moving times and costs depend mostly on how big your home is and how much stuff you have.
The Current State of Moving to Idaho in 2023
According to estimates from the U.S. Census, Idaho’s population increased by 5.4% (roughly 100,000) between April 2020 and July 2022. While this is impressive, it’s not surprising.
In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, more than twice as many people moved in rather than out of Idaho. While the influx of new residents slowed to a more balanced rate in 2022, it hasn’t stopped completely.
According to U.S. Census data, it was Pacific Northwest states — California, Washington, and Oregon in particular — that sent the most people to Idaho in 2019. This makes sense when you consider Idaho’s cost of living is significantly lower than all three of them. Other top states that sent new residents to Idaho include Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.
Idaho is still close to the West Coast, but has much lower tax rates and a slower pace of life. The unemployment rate in Idaho is also impressive (13th lowest in the nation). And those who have managed to continue working remotely at jobs based in places like Silicon Valley have a great opportunity to maintain a higher income while enjoying Idaho’s lower cost of living. Combine all this with low crime rates, great outdoor recreation, and the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons each year, and it’s easy to understand why so many people would want to live here.
More 2023 Idaho Moving Stats
There are multiple moving options available to you, and each comes with its own pros and cons — including the price tag. Since budget plays such an important role when planning a move, let’s explore the average costs for Idaho moving services in 2023.
Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services
| Move Type | Avg. Cost of Labor Only |
| Container | $368 |
| Truck | $392 |
| Trailer | $491 |
Avg. Cost of Labor-Only Moving Services in Idaho by Job Type
Hiring labor only saves you money, but which part of your move you hire the labor for makes a difference. Let’s compare the different costs of labor-only moving services in Idaho to the national averages.
| Type of Labor-Only Moving Service | U.S. Average | ID Average |
| Moving with on-site help only | $345 | $396 |
| Moving with unloading help only | $395 | $389 |
| Moving with loading help only | $400 | $396 |
| Moving with both loading and unloading help (booked together) | $490 | $543 |
Which Cities in Idaho Are Growing and Shrinking?
Idaho City With the Greatest Population Increase** – Meridian, ID (+144%)
Located just 16 minutes west of Boise, Meridian is rated the best Idaho suburb to live in by Niche.com. This family-friendly community has great schools, beautiful parks, a vibrant downtown, and easy access to both outdoor activities and big-city amenities.
Idaho City With the Greatest Population Loss** – Kuna, ID (-60%)
Kuna, Idaho is located just 30 minutes southwest of Boise. Despite its population loss, it’s rated one of the best suburbs in Idaho for young professionals, according to Niche.com. Residents enjoy easy access to the city as well as nearby outdoor attractions, like Lake Lowell and the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
**Population change over the last 12 months
See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.
See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.
Most Affordable Idaho Cities (with Average Home Value and Median Household Income)
Here’s a closer look at six of the most affordable cities in Idaho and how their average household incomes and home values compare to the state averages.
| City | Average Home Value | Median Household Income | Home Value to Household Income(Ratio) |
| Burley, ID | $311,853 | $52,086 | 100:17 |
| Pocatello, ID | $316,671 | $51,293 | 100:16 |
| Rupert, ID | $292,032 | $45,227 | 100:15 |
| Jerome, ID | $363,594 | $54,535 | 100:15 |
| Blackfoot, ID | $339,332 | $51,971 | 100:15 |
| Idaho Avg. | $448,156 | $63,377 | 100:14 |
Sources: Average home values are based on Zillow data and median household incomes are based on U.S. Census data (expressed in 2021 dollars) available as of June 2023.
Cost of Moving Within Idaho
When moving locally (defined as a move of 50 miles or less), Idaho moving costs range between about $325 on the low end to $600 on the high end, depending on the origin city.
Least Expensive Origin Cities for Moves Within Idaho (Avg. for local move)
| Origin City | Average Move Cost (Labor-Only) |
| Caldwell, ID | $327 |
| Garden City, ID | $339 |
| Boise, ID | $389 |
| Eagle, ID | $390 |
| Nampa, ID | $411 |
Most Expensive Origin Cities for Moves Within Idaho (Avg. for local move)
| Origin City | Average Move Cost (Labor-Only) |
| Middleton, ID | $422 |
| Meridian, ID | $452 |
| Post Falls, ID | $453 |
| Coeur d’Alene, ID | $495 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $601 |
What Are Idaho’s 2023 Tax Rates?
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 tax rates in Idaho include:
- Idaho state sales tax rate: 6%
- Average local sales tax rate in Idaho: 0.079%
- Idaho gasoline tax rate: 32¢/gal
- Idaho cigarette tax rate: $0.57 (per 20-pack)
The state income tax rates in Idaho vary from 1% up to 6% depending on your income and filing status. Below is a breakdown of the different Idaho state income tax rates.
Idaho income tax rates are as follows:
| Single or Married Filing Sep. |
Tax (single or MFS) |
Married Filing Jointly or Head of Household |
Tax (married or HOH) |
Tax Rate |
| $1 – $1,662 | $0 | $1 – $3,324 | $0 | plus 1% |
| $1,662 – $4,987 | $16.62 | $3,324 – $9,974 | $33.24 | plus 3% of income above low range |
| $4,987 – $8,311 | $116.36 | $9,974 – $16,622 | $232.72 | plus 4.5% of income above low range |
| $8,311+ | $265.96 | $16,622+ | $531.92 | plus 6% of income above low range |
Idaho may not be as glamorous as California or Florida, but residents know that it’s a hidden gem that offers a great quality of life overall. 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.
