Compare states / Idaho
ID
Compare Idaho with other states
Idaho, home to about 2.1 million people, is the 7th-least densely populated state at 25 people per square mile. Wages are taxed at a top rate of 5.3%; its effective property-tax rate of 0.50% is tied for the 6th-lowest among the 50 states. Housing is expensive: the median home value of $483,379 is the 12th-highest nationally.
Data: Idaho (tax.idaho.gov, itd.idaho.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes and housing
| State income tax | Top listed rate 5.3% |
|---|---|
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 6.03% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.50% effective |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | No annual vehicle personal-property tax |
| Social Security tax | Not taxed. The state exempts Social Security benefits from income tax. |
| Estate tax | No state estate tax. |
| Inheritance tax | No state inheritance tax. |
| Minimum wage | Statewide minimum wage $7.25 (matches the federal rate). |
| Median home value | $483,379 |
Car title and license
| Tax on buying/titling a car | 6.00% |
|---|---|
| Title fee | $14.00 |
| Registration (base) | $45.00 |
| Car inspection | Varies by county — confirm locally |
| Nurse license from another state | Usually transfers (compact) |
Parks and people
| State parks | 28 |
|---|---|
| National parks | 1 |
| Population | 2,058,594 |
| Population density | 25.0 per sq mi |
| Demographics | 80.3% White (non-Hispanic) 13.3% Hispanic 0.9% Black 1.6% Asian |
| Violent crime | 230.6 per 100,000 |
Estimated income tax in Idaho
Uses 2026 single-filer tax brackets (top listed rate 5.3%) after a per-dependent exemption. Not your actual tax bill.
Estimate car title cost in Idaho
Uses this state’s title fee, plate, base registration, and 6.00% tax. County extras are not included.
Your move
Your to-do list in Idaho
- Get an ID driver license within 30 days. Bring your current license, Social Security number, and two proofs you live in Idaho.
- Title and register the car within 30 days. Inspection: Varies by county — confirm locally.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/25.
- Register to vote. Idaho elections site.
- Nurse license: Idaho is in the nurse compact, so a compact RN license often still works. Confirm with the board of nursing if you are changing primary residence.
- Enrolling a kindergartner? Kindergarten age cutoff in Idaho: September 1. Compare kindergarten cutoffs by state.
How Idaho compares
Top listed income-tax rate: 5.3% in Idaho vs 13.3% in California (lower in Idaho).
Use the picker above for any other state. Published comparison pages that include Idaho are listed here.
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- State income tax. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. Idaho does not tax Social Security benefits (ID tax agency).
- Estate tax. Idaho has no state estate tax (ID tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. Idaho has no state inheritance tax (ID tax agency).
- Minimum wage. Idaho $7.25.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax on buying/titling a car. Idaho 6.00%.
- State parks. Idaho 28. Official designated state parks.
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; ID 1).
- Population / density. U.S. Census Bureau, state population estimates · PopClock people per sq. mi..
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (ID).
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Days to get a license. Idaho 30 days.
- Days to title a car. Idaho 30 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled