Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,133 in Idaho. Overall, Idaho runs roughly 8% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $81,308 in Idaho — about 15% higher in Idaho. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.30%
+5.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,133
+8% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$456,000
+42% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$81,308
+18% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
52.5°F
+19.3°F in Florida
Florida vs Idaho — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Idaho?
- Idaho is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,133 runs about 8% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in Idaho?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Florida versus $45,000 in Idaho.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or Idaho?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/1 cities we track in Florida/Idaho — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.