Cost of Living in Garden City, ID

Population 12,483 · Idaho · Data vintage 2023

118
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Garden City sits on the smaller end of the Idaho city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Geographically, Garden City sits roughly 6 miles northwest of Boise City. Median home values run roughly 10% lower than Boise City's $456,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 135
Rent 92

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

About the Cost of Living in Garden City

The median home value in Garden City is $411,400 — 35% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,206/month, 8% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $66,859/year is 10% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.2%, 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, Garden City has a cost of living index of 118 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 18% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$411,400
35% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$472,982
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,206/mo
8% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,731/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.4x
Favors renting
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 65.7%
Renter-occupied 34.3%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,206
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,820/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
23.0 min
15% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
68.5%
Carpooled
7.8%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
0.6%
Bicycle
2.0%
Work from home
18.4%

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
$66,859
10% below avg
Per Capita Income
$44,753
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
33% below avg
Poverty Rate
10.9%
Labor Force Participation
57.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.5%
Graduate degree 12.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44
Male median age 40.8
Female median age 48.5

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 44 — Good
68.8%
Good air days/yr
120
Max AQI recorded
114
PM2.5 days
245
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Garden City, ID?

Garden City has a cost index of 118 (100 = national average). It is 18% above the national average.

What is average rent in Garden City, ID?

The median gross rent in Garden City is $1,206 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Garden City?

The median home value in Garden City is $411,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Garden City?

The median household income in Garden City is $66,859 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Garden City, ID?

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

Is Garden City, ID affordable?

Garden City is above average in cost of living, with an index of 118 — about 18% higher than the national average.

Garden City at a Glance

Population
12,483
Median Income
$66,859
Home Value
$411,400
Median Rent
$1,206/mo
Unemployment
3.2%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Idaho →
🗺️ County data for Idaho

Explore county-level cost of living data

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