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Moving from District of Columbia to Idaho

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Boise tech migration, mountains, conservative.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

ID state flag
Moving to

Idaho

Capital: Boise

Median household income $70,214 · winter low 22°F · 199 sunny days

Boise tech migration, mountains, conservative.

Idaho has an overall price level 95.5 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
Idaho
95.5
Idaho has 13% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Idaho
90.0
Idaho has 42% lower housing costs
Groceries index
District of Columbia
106.5
Idaho
96.3
Idaho has 9.6% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Idaho
99.3
Idaho has 2.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25.4 ¢/kWh
Idaho
12.7 ¢/kWh
Idaho has 50% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Idaho
99.1
Idaho has 2.8% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Idaho
$446,400
Idaho is 39% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,931/mo
Idaho
$1,384/mo
Idaho is 28% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow · USGS (live) state-level

Summer high 87°F · Winter low 22°F · 199 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
Idaho
87°F
Idaho is 1.1% less summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Idaho
22°F
Idaho is 21% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Idaho
46°F
Idaho is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Idaho
199
Idaho has 1.0% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Idaho
17 in
Idaho is 61% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
41
Idaho
24
Idaho has 41% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
District of Columbia
0
Idaho
12
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Idaho
51 in
Idaho is 364% more annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaIdaho report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, and a 90-day move timeline.

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho than District of Columbia?

Idaho's overall price level is roughly 92.8 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia, based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% income tax. Idaho tops out at 5.3%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Idaho?

Most Idaho residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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