Cost of Living in Idaho: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2025
What is the cost of living in Idaho? doxo breaks down key insights about Idaho’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Idaho pays $1,706 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Internet, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Idaho’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Idaho ranks as the 34th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Idaho is ranked as the 34th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills.
At $20,472 per year, Idaho’s household expenses, on average, are 17% lower than the US median of $24,695.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Idaho households spend 27% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national median and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national median. The COBI for Idaho is 83.
- Median Bill Cost per Household: $1,706 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 83
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #34
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 27%
- Compared to the National Median: 17% lower
Idaho Household Expenses are 17% Lower Than the National Median
The average Idaho household pays $1,706 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the median monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Idaho is $74, compared to the national median of $74, making it the same as the national median.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Idaho residents. The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,412, compared to the national median of $1,775, making it 20% less expensive.
Median Idaho Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Median Idaho Monthly Bill | National Median Monthly Bill | Idaho Percent +/- National Median ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,412 | $1,775 | 20% lower |
| Rent | $1,188 | $1,453 | 18% lower |
| Auto Loan | $414 | $470 | 12% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $88 | $105 | 16% lower |
| Health Insurance | $70 | $72 | 3% lower |
| Mobile Phone | $84 | $96 | 13% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $100 | $121 | 17% lower |
| Life Insurance | $61 | $60 | 2% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $74 | $74 | same |
| Total | $1,706 | $2,065 | 17% lower |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Felt has the highest cost of living in Idaho for household bills
Residents of Felt pay the highest household bills in the state of Idaho, at a median of $3,188 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Felt is 154, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 54% higher than the national median.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Felt make up 60% of the median annual household income of $63,281.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
5 Most Expensive Idaho Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Median Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Median | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Felt | $63,281 | $3,188 | 154 | 54% higher | 61% |
| 2 | Bayview | $59,307 | $2,845 | 138 | 38% higher | 58% |
| 3 | Mountain Home Afb | $72,411 | $2,388 | 116 | 16% higher | 40% |
| 4 | Eagle | $118,013 | $2,138 | 103 | 3% higher | 22% |
| 5 | Harvard | $97,222 | $2,099 | 102 | 2% higher | 26% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Shoup has the lowest cost of living in Idaho for household bills
Shoup is the most affordable place in Idaho, with residents paying $755 on average for household bills, accounting for 17% of annual income of $52,433. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Shoup is 37, meaning the median cost of bills in this city is 63% below the national median.
Clayton is the second most affordable city in Idaho, with residents paying $766 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 5 least expensive cities in Idaho are Stanley ($772), Swan Lake ($800) and Lemhi ($824).
5 Most Affordable Idaho Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Median Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Median | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Shoup | $52,433 | $755 | 37 | 63% lower | 17% |
| 2 | Clayton | $86,650 | $766 | 37 | 63% lower | 11% |
| 3 | Stanley | $79,288 | $772 | 37 | 63% lower | 12% |
| 4 | Swan Lake | $128,701 | $800 | 39 | 61% lower | 8% |
| 5 | Lemhi | $46,250 | $824 | 40 | 60% lower | 21% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense medians shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Idaho with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.