Cost of Living in Buhl, ID

Population 4,624 · Idaho · Data vintage 2023

76
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Buhl's median household income of $46,217 is a meaningful share below the national figure, which shapes most of the downstream economic indicators — from housing affordability to the share of residents living below the poverty line (7% here).

Buhl lies roughly 100 miles southeast of the nearest major metro, Boise City — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 58% lower than Boise City's $456,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 63
Rent 96

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Buhl

The median home value in Buhl is $192,600 — 37% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,265/month, 4% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,217/year is 38% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, below the national average of 4.8%. Idaho's top state income tax rate is 5.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.0%. Overall, Buhl has a cost of living index of 76 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 24% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$192,600
37% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$366,823
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,265/mo
4% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.7x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$752
1 BR
$822
2 BR
$982
3 BR
$1,367
4 BR
$1,643
Owner-occupied 78.6%
Renter-occupied 21.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,265
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,879/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
27.3 min
1% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
78.9%
Carpooled
12.0%
Walked
1.0%
Work from home
6.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.8%
Total Sales Tax 6.0%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.0%
Property Tax 0.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$46,217
38% below avg
Per Capita Income
$24,953
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
11% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Labor Force Participation
61.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.1%
Graduate degree 4.0%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.5
Male median age 34.2
Female median age 38.6

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 25 — Good
95.3%
Good air days/yr
80
Max AQI recorded
344
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

82%
4-Year Graduation Rate
16.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
4
Public schools
1,301
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Buhl, ID?

Buhl has a cost index of 76 (100 = national average). It is 24% below the national average.

What is average rent in Buhl, ID?

The median gross rent in Buhl is $1,265 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Buhl?

The median home value in Buhl is $192,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Buhl?

The median household income in Buhl is $46,217 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Buhl, ID?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Buhl is 6.0%. The Idaho state income tax top rate is 5.8%.

Is Buhl, ID affordable?

Yes, Buhl is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 76 — about 24% below the US national average of 100.

Buhl at a Glance

Population
4,624
Median Income
$46,217
Home Value
$192,600
Median Rent
$1,265/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Idaho →
🗺️ County data for Idaho

Explore county-level cost of living data

Similar Cost Cities

Cities in other states with comparable housing costs