CountyScore

Boise County

Idaho · ID

#9 in Idaho
75
County Score

County Report Card

About Boise County, Idaho

Boise County in Top Quartile Nationally

Boise County's composite score of 75.0 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 25% of U.S. counties. This mountain county delivers exceptional livability across multiple dimensions.

Outranks Idaho's State Average

Boise County scores 75.0, exceeding Idaho's state average of 72.5 and ranking among the state's highest-performing counties. It represents one of Idaho's genuine livability success stories.

Elite Tax Efficiency and Solid Balance

Boise County delivers the second-lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.370% with a tax score of 91.9. The county balances this with strong health outcomes (75.5), reasonable costs (78.2), and solid income opportunities (33.9).

Modest Income Potential Relative to Housing

Income scores of 33.9 with median household income of $77,349 lag behind local housing costs. Median home values at $424,100 create purchasing pressure despite the county's many other strengths.

For Tax-Savvy Mountain Community Seekers

Boise County suits professionals and retirees seeking mountain living with excellent tax treatment, strong healthcare, and genuine community character. It works best for those with professional incomes or retirement assets who value mountain access and small-town authenticity.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax91.9Cost78.2SafetyComing SoonHealth75.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome33.9Risk51.1WaterComing Soon
🏛91.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼33.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡51.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Boise County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Hardin County
Illinois
75
Median income: $57,155
Clay County
Indiana
75
Median income: $67,676
Nicholas County
Kentucky
75
Median income: $53,616
Douglas County
Missouri
75
Median income: $49,828
Stillwater County
Montana
75
Median income: $81,503

Deep Dives

Boise County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Boise County

via TaxByCounty

Boise County among nation's lowest tax rates

Boise County's effective tax rate of 0.370% ranks among America's lowest, falling 24% below the national median of 0.49%. The median property tax of $1,571 sits well below the national median of $2,690, despite Boise County's median home value of $424,100 being 50% above the national median.

Boise County Idaho's second-lowest rate

At 0.370%, Boise County's effective tax rate ranks second-lowest in Idaho, running 27% below the state average of 0.508%. The median tax of $1,571 remains below the state average of $1,529, making Boise County exceptionally affordable for property owners.

Boise County's competitive regional position

Boise County's 0.370% rate rivals Blaine County (0.386%) as the region's lowest and undercuts Benewah County (0.550%) significantly. In southwestern Idaho, Boise County offers some of the most favorable tax conditions for homeowners.

Boise County annual tax estimate

On a median home valued at $424,100, Boise County homeowners pay an estimated $1,571 per year in property taxes. Mortgage holders pay slightly less ($1,460), while outright owners pay more ($1,769), reflecting typical exemption patterns across the county.

Verify your Boise County assessment

Even with Boise County's already-low tax rates, homeowners should confirm their assessed values match current market conditions. Given the county's appreciating real estate market, reassessments may lag behind actual property values, potentially creating appeal opportunities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Boise County

via CostByCounty

Boise County combines low rent with solid income

Boise County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% beats the national standard, with renters spending just $854 monthly on a median household income of $77,349. This county's above-national income paired with below-average housing costs creates genuine affordability for renters and homebuyers alike.

Boise County ranks among Idaho's most affordable

Boise County's 13.3% rent-to-income ratio sits well below Idaho's state average of 16.8%, positioning it as one of the state's best affordability markets. At $854 monthly, median rent undercuts the state median of $919 while household incomes exceed state norms by $467.

Boise County offers mountain living at moderate cost

Boise County's median rent of $854 aligns with Bingham County ($845) and undercuts Ada County ($1,465) by over $600 monthly. Though home values of $424,100 reflect mountain-area premiums, they remain accessible compared to Blaine County's $663,800 or Ada's $476,000.

Renters and owners both achieve balance

Boise County renters spend $854 monthly while homeowners pay $973, both moderate on a median income of $77,349 that exceeds national norms. Housing consumes just 13.3% of income, leaving substantial earnings for savings, healthcare, and discretionary spending.

Boise County: affordability meets mountain character

If you want mountain living without Ada County's price tag or Blaine County's exclusivity, Boise County delivers solid income potential and genuine housing affordability. This underrated county offers genuine value for those balancing cost and lifestyle in Idaho's scenic interior.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Boise County

via IncomeByCounty

Boise County matches national income norms

At $77,349, Boise County's median household income runs 3% above the U.S. median of $74,755. The county's rural but economically stable character supports earning levels comparable to national averages.

Boise County third among Idaho earners

Boise County's $77,349 median household income ranks third in Idaho, trailing only Ada ($88,907) and Blaine ($84,470), and exceeding the state average of $65,770 by $11,600. The county's timber, mining heritage, and outdoor recreation support solid regional earnings.

Boise County leads its immediate region

Boise County's $77,349 income exceeds Bingham County's $76,842 and maintains healthy distance from more rural eastern counties. The county's proximity to Boise metro influences and access to regional services bolster relative earning power.

Excellent housing affordability in Boise County

At 13.3%, Boise County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among Idaho's best, with median homes at $424,100. The combination of solid incomes and reasonable housing costs creates strong conditions for financial security.

Take advantage of rural stability to save

Boise County's balanced incomes and affordable housing create opportunity for consistent retirement and investment savings. Residents should maximize employer retirement plans and consider supplemental IRAs to compound the region's income advantage over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Boise County

via HealthByCounty

Boise County matches national health trends

At 79.1 years, Boise County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 3.0 years, indicating above-average longevity. With 14.5% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 17.8% rate—the county demonstrates solid health outcomes overall.

Boise County leads Idaho's middle tier

Boise County's 79.1-year life expectancy ranks third in Idaho, beating the state average of 77.5 years by 1.6 years. The county's 14.5% poor/fair health rate positions it solidly in the upper half of Idaho counties.

Boise rivals Ada and Adams in longevity

At 79.1 years, Boise County nearly matches Ada (79.7) and Adams (79.2), forming a strong health corridor in this region. However, Boise's 12 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank lowest in this group, representing a critical access gap.

Good coverage obscures provider shortage crisis

Boise County's 9.5% uninsured rate beats Idaho's 11.7% average, yet the severe shortage of primary care providers—just 12 per 100,000—undermines care access despite insurance coverage. With 129 mental health providers per 100,000, behavioral health services are limited.

Boise County: protect your health coverage

With 9.5% uninsured, most Boise residents have coverage, but given the county's critical shortage of primary care providers, continuity matters. Visit healthcare.gov to verify your coverage and explore telehealth options that can bridge Boise's provider access gap.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Boise County

via RiskByCounty

Boise County faces moderate disaster risk

Boise County's composite risk score of 48.92 sits just below the national average of 50, earning a 'relatively low' rating. While the county faces meaningful exposure to wildfire and moderate flood risks, its overall hazard profile is slightly more favorable than the typical American county.

Near-average risk for Idaho

Boise County's score of 48.92 slightly exceeds Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it just above the midpoint of statewide risk. This near-average position reflects balanced exposure across multiple hazard categories without extreme concentrations in any single threat.

Boise safer than Ada, less risky than Blaine

Boise County's 48.92 score sits well below Ada County's 87.75 and modestly below Blaine County's 65.36, positioning it as the safer central Idaho option. Its risk level is comparable to or slightly above most other rural Idaho counties.

Wildfire is your dominant natural hazard

Boise County faces an exceptional wildfire risk of 97.23, among the highest in Idaho and ranking as the county's primary threat by far. Flood risk (42.94) and earthquake risk (40.04) are moderate and below state averages, while tornado risk is minimal.

Wildfire insurance is your top priority

Given Boise County's 97.23 wildfire risk score, securing dedicated wildfire insurance should be your immediate action. While earthquake and flood risks are lower, reviewing coverage options for these hazards remains prudent, and maintaining defensible space around your home is essential.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.