Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,133 in Idaho versus $1,166 in Utah. Overall, Idaho runs roughly 3% cheaper on rent than Utah, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $81,308 in Idaho and $74,925 in Utah — about 8% higher in Idaho. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
6.1%
+0.1 pp in Utah
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
4.50%
+0.8 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,133
$1,166
+3% in Utah
Median Home Value
$456,000
$495,700
+9% in Utah
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$81,308
$74,925
+8% in Idaho
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
52.5°F
52.8°F
+0.3°F in Utah
Idaho vs Utah — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Idaho or Utah?
- Idaho is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,133 runs about 3% below Utah's $1,166, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho than in Utah?
- 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 Utah.
- Which has lower taxes, Idaho or Utah?
- Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax. Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Idaho/Utah — 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.