Cost of Living in Sandpoint, ID

Population 9,244 · Idaho · Data vintage 2023

120
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Sandpoint a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $450,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.1% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, Sandpoint is about 55 miles northeast of Spokane Valley, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 31% higher than Spokane Valley's $344,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 147
Rent 80

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

About the Cost of Living in Sandpoint

The median home value in Sandpoint is $449,500 — 47% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,047/month, 20% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $67,769/year is 9% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.1%, 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, Sandpoint has a cost of living index of 120 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$449,500
47% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$616,618
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,047/mo
20% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,939/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
35.8x
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 56.0%
Renter-occupied 44.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,047
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,661/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
16.0 min
41% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
10.7%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.8%
Carpooled
7.7%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
5.7%
Bicycle
4.9%
Work from home
10.7%

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
$67,769
9% below avg
Per Capita Income
$38,728
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
56% below avg
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Labor Force Participation
60.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.9%
Graduate degree 12.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.5
Male median age 39.7
Female median age 44.1

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 34 — Good
75.2%
Good air days/yr
261
Max AQI recorded
343
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

74%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.7:1
Student-teacher ratio
1
Public schools
315
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sandpoint, ID?

Sandpoint has a cost index of 120 (100 = national average). It is 20% above the national average.

What is average rent in Sandpoint, ID?

The median gross rent in Sandpoint is $1,047 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Sandpoint?

The median home value in Sandpoint is $449,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Sandpoint?

The median household income in Sandpoint is $67,769 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Sandpoint, ID?

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

Is Sandpoint, ID affordable?

Sandpoint is above average in cost of living, with an index of 120 — about 20% higher than the national average.

Sandpoint at a Glance

Population
9,244
Median Income
$67,769
Home Value
$449,500
Median Rent
$1,047/mo
Unemployment
2.1%
Sales Tax
6.0%
View all cities in Idaho →
🗺️ County data for Idaho

Explore county-level cost of living data

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