Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Idaho runs roughly 3% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $67,043 in Texas — about 18% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
None
+5.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$1,170
+3% in Texas
Median Home Value
$456,000
$264,900
+42% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$67,043
+18% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
67.2°F
+14.7°F in Texas
Idaho vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Texas?
- Idaho is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,133 runs about 3% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho than in Texas?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Idaho versus $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Texas?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Idaho/Texas — 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.