Cost of Living in Mountain Home, ID
Population 16,265 · Idaho · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Mountain Home 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. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 7.3% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Mountain Home is about 40 miles southeast of Boise City, the nearest large metro — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 41% lower than Boise City's $456,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Mountain Home
The median home value in Mountain Home is $270,700 — 11% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,061/month, 19% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,486/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 7.3%, above 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, Mountain Home has a cost of living index of 86 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 14% less expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Mountain Home, ID?
Mountain Home has a cost index of 86 (100 = national average). It is 14% below the national average.
What is average rent in Mountain Home, ID?
The median gross rent in Mountain Home is $1,061 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Mountain Home?
The median home value in Mountain Home is $270,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Mountain Home?
The median household income in Mountain Home is $58,486 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Mountain Home, ID?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mountain Home is 6.0%. The Idaho state income tax top rate is 5.8%.
Is Mountain Home, ID affordable?
Yes, Mountain Home is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 86 — about 14% below the US national average of 100.
Mountain Home at a Glance
- Population
- 16,265
- Median Income
- $58,486
- Home Value
- $270,700
- Median Rent
- $1,061/mo
- Unemployment
- 7.3%
- Sales Tax
- 6.0%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Idaho Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
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