Is Idaho a Good Place to Live? Pros and Cons

May 24, 2022

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Thinking of relocating to Idaho? If you love extreme sports, skiing, rock climbing, fishing, and snowboarding, Idaho might be the perfect place for you.

Teeming with a plethora of outdoor attractions and scenic hotspots, Idaho appeals to a spectrum of individuals including job seekers, retirees, millennials, and college students. Because of its low cost of housing, it is also a wonderful environment for young families. Interested? Read on!

History of Idaho

Idaho is a northwestern state of the USA. With a population of about 1.6 million, it is considered the 14^th largest state in the country. However, it is the 12^th least populated state in the USA and has around 19 people per square mile.

Nicknamed the ‘Gem State,’ it has a lot of natural scenic sights with a high proportion of rocky and mountainous terrains and aesthetics. Idaho also has some outstanding neighbors such as Nevada, Wyoming, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Montana.

Idaho has lots of schools and industries and is paving the way for job seekers.

The state of Idaho is also famous for its juicy, delicious potatoes and is a booming market for healthy investments and interests.

Summary of Pros and Cons of Living in Idaho

Pros of Living in Idaho	Cons of Living in Idaho
The Economy is Booming	Small Infrastructure
Low Unemployment Rate	Low Cultural Diversity
Low Cost of Living	Minimum Wage is High
Safe Place to Live	There’s No Public Transport
Good Road Network	Low Quality of Education
Environmentally Friendly	Lots of Forest Fires

If you’ve read this far, it certainly means that Idaho might just be the wonderland you’re looking for.

Below are the pros and cons of moving to Idaho, in detail.

Pros of Living in Idaho

1. The Economy is Booming

Idaho has one of the more robust economies in the US and with a low employment rate. It serves as greener pastures for young graduates and job seekers.

The economic stabilizers in the state include food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, silver, electronics manufacturing, and tourism.

2. Low Unemployment Rate

AreaVibes shows that the state’s unemployment rate is 3.9% while the Bureau of Labor Statistics placed unemployment across the entire state at just 2.9%.

This is below the national average which puts unemployment at 4.7%. In addition, in 2021 U.S News Best States Ranking placed Idaho as the number one for economic growth and ranked it fourth in fiscal stability.

3. Low Cost of Living

According to AreaVibes, Idaho’s overall cost of living index is 93. This is seven percent lower than the national average.

With its teeming investments in utilities and manufacturing, living in Idaho is relatively more affordable than most states in the USA.

4. Safe Place to Live

One of the benefits of moving to Idaho will be its relatively low crime rates in its cities.

Biose and Twin Falls significantly have much lower crime rates than other cities in Idaho and one of the reasons for this is the numerous investments the state puts in its law enforcement.

5. Good Road Network

Idaho has very good networks because of proper city planning. This makes commuting very easy and ensures you spend less time on the road.

And what’s the bonus? You may not need to go into the city with a GPS.

6. Environmentally Friendly

If you are looking for a state that both looks and smells clean, then Idaho should be at the top of your list. According to Best Life, Idaho is the second cleanest state in the country.

And this finding took into consideration the amount of waste produced each year, and air pollution levels, among other things.

With the country sea atmosphere and teaming natural aesthetics, Idaho is a natural jewel to behold for people of all ages.

Among its national preserves are natural reserves, which ensure the protection of forests, plants, and animals.

Cons of Living in Idaho

1. Idaho has Small Infrastructure

With a rapidly growing population, Idaho’s infrastructure seems to be small for its population mass.

With cities having two-lane roads, traffic control is more difficult to manage especially during peak hours like the start of work or school starts letting out.

2. Low Cultural Diversity

There is considerable low diversity as a result of the city’s predominantly white populace, with the main cultural influence being European.

This lack of diversity is usually felt by tourists and can be daunting to minorities who don’t have a lot of restaurants and activities that represent cultural perspectives.

3. The Minimum Wage is High

This is usually daunting to reconcile especially because of the city’s low unemployment rate.

The minimum wage per hour in Idaho is $7.25 per hour and sometimes, job seekers may have to search for a long time to find a good employer that will be considerate.

4. There is No Public Transport

If you don’t own a vehicle and intend to move to Idaho, you may need to get one as the city doesn’t have public transport.

Most forms of transport like Uber and Lyft are found in commercial cities. And in the cities where there is a bus or rail option, the systems usually do not run efficiently.

This disadvantage also extends to the airport. To travel to connecting cities outside Idaho, you may need to book a connector flight as flights don’t go directly to some cities.

5. Low Quality of Education

Education seems not to make it to the list of all the great pleasures Idaho offers. In 2017, Idaho ranked 39th in education, which was near the bottom of the list. Education score is determined by the absent students, students not graduating early, and students’ proficiency in math and reading.

In 2021, the Quality Education Act sought to invest over $300 million annually in the education of Idaho kids. This move has recorded a fair success in Idaho public schools. If you’re moving to Idaho with your kids, education is an important factor to consider.

6. Lots of Forest Fires

Each year, Idaho seems to fight more forest fires than the previous year. In 2021 alone, Idaho experienced 408 wildfires. While 254 of them were human ignited, 154 of them were caused by lightning. This menace influenced the additional $150 million added to the firefighting costs.

Over the years, forest fires and their ripple effects – hot weather and drought have been major challenges for the residents and the government alike.

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Idaho

Is Idaho a Good Place to retire?

Idaho is a good place to retire. Because of its scenic views, it can be therapeutic for retirees.

Because of its steaming outdoors, it offers settlers a variety of outdoor activities that can keep them busy and refreshed.

And if you lived in busy cities like Los Angeles and New York, retiring in an environment in tune with nature like Idaho is a smart move.