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Discover Idaho’s cheapest and most affordable rental locations

Rent Affordability in Idaho: A Quick Guide to the State’s Rental Market

The rental market is a problem for so many, especially in the Treasure Valley, where new apartment complexes are popping up regularly as the state experiences rapid population growth and increasing demand for housing.

Rental Market Trends in Idaho

To determine whether rent in Idaho is affordable for you, the “30% rule” is a good guideline. This means you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your income on rent. For example, if your monthly income is $4,000, you should try to budget $1,200 or less for housing. In theory it could work, but local market conditions will influence what is actually affordable.

Tips for Finding Affordable Rental in Idaho

  1. Explore suburban and rural areas: This might be easier for people who are not tied to the atmosphere of the city.
  2. Use local networks: Ask friends, colleagues or community groups in Idaho for tips on rental properties.
  3. Adjust your rental time: Idaho’s rental market slows during the winter months, so landlords may be willing to negotiate rates or terms.

Definition of affordable housing in Idaho

Affordable housing typically costs less than 30% of household income. The definition may vary depending on your location. Where is Idaho’s cheapest place to rent? In Blackfoot 83221, rent averages 19.95% of local income, which is 10.05% less than what is considered “affordable housing.” On the other hand, Kootenai 83864 is the cheapest, with renters spending 40.43% of their income on housing.

https://www.cashnetusa.com/blog/how-much-rent-can-i-afford/

https://www.cashnetusa.com/blog/how-much-rent-can-i-afford/

Even though rent prices in Idaho are rising, they say Cashnetusa.comIdaho remains more affordable than many other states.

The surprising hourly wage you need to afford rent in Idaho

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Idaho charges the 32nd highest housing wage in the country. Statewide, the average hourly wage for a two-bedroom rental home is $23.06 per hour. This varies from place to place. Here’s how it worked for specific metropolises.

Gallery photo credit: Michelle Heart

Idaho’s Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Live

To determine the most affordable places to live in Idaho, a comprehensive methodology was used that focused on several key metrics to calculate an affordability score. This score is intended to provide a clear picture of the economic landscape in different zip codes. Key metrics taken into account include average home value, rental costs, property taxes and energy costs. Each of these factors plays an important role in shaping the affordability of a location. Average home value and its affordability relative to household income are heavily weighted as they indicate the financial accessibility of purchasing a home in the area.

Photo credit: Kyle Matthews

Idaho’s First Significant Snow Dates Announced for Fall 2024 (Updated)

These statistics are based on data from the National Weather Service. To be considered a first snowfall date, a city had to receive at least 0.1 inch of snow.

Gallery photo credit: Michelle Heart

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