Despite ranking lowest in this group, Shoshone's composite score of 68.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 19 points, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. The county maintains livability standards above most American communities.
2 / 5
Below Idaho's state average performance
Scoring 68.6 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, Shoshone County falls notably below statewide norms. It ranks in the lower tier among Idaho counties for overall livability.
3 / 5
Housing affordability and low taxes help
Shoshone County delivers a cost score of 81.0 with excellent housing affordability—median rent of just $880/month and median home value of $222,700. Tax burden is also favorable with a 0.572% effective rate and tax score of 86.2.
4 / 5
Income and risk factors present real concerns
With a median household income of $49,975 and income score of 16.0, Shoshone County has the lowest earning potential in this group. The risk score of 37.2 indicates vulnerability to natural hazards or economic shocks that residents must carefully consider.
5 / 5
Consider carefully; best for hardy retirees
Shoshone County suits only those with very low cost-of-living needs, secure fixed income, or strong risk tolerance who can accept limited earning opportunities and elevated disaster exposure. Remote workers with stable income from outside the county may find the exceptional affordability worthwhile despite the challenges.
Despite ranking lowest in this group, Shoshone's composite score of 68.6 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 19 points, placing it in the 69th percentile nationally. The county maintains livability standards above most American communities.
Below Idaho's state average performance
Scoring 68.6 against Idaho's state average of 72.5, Shoshone County falls notably below statewide norms. It ranks in the lower tier among Idaho counties for overall livability.
Housing affordability and low taxes help
Shoshone County delivers a cost score of 81.0 with excellent housing affordability—median rent of just $880/month and median home value of $222,700. Tax burden is also favorable with a 0.572% effective rate and tax score of 86.2.
Income and risk factors present real concerns
With a median household income of $49,975 and income score of 16.0, Shoshone County has the lowest earning potential in this group. The risk score of 37.2 indicates vulnerability to natural hazards or economic shocks that residents must carefully consider.
Consider carefully; best for hardy retirees
Shoshone County suits only those with very low cost-of-living needs, secure fixed income, or strong risk tolerance who can accept limited earning opportunities and elevated disaster exposure. Remote workers with stable income from outside the county may find the exceptional affordability worthwhile despite the challenges.
Score breakdown
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🏛86.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Shoshone County's effective tax rate of 0.572% sits just below the U.S. median of 0.71%, placing it slightly below the national midpoint. The median property tax of $1,273 is less than half the national median of $2,690, primarily because median home values here are much lower.
Mid-range Idaho county for tax rates
Shoshone County's 0.572% effective rate is 12% above Idaho's statewide average of 0.508%, placing it in the upper-middle tier among the state's 44 counties. The median tax of $1,273 is $256 below Idaho's state median of $1,529.
Higher-taxing than most regional peers
Shoshone County's 0.572% rate exceeds nearby Minidoka (0.518%), Oneida (0.513%), Madison (0.497%), and Owyhee (0.481%). It falls short only of Nez Perce (0.868%) and Power (0.825%) in the region.
Median home costs $1,273 yearly in taxes
On Shoshone County's median home value of $222,700, homeowners pay approximately $1,273 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, taxes average $1,265; without, they average $1,282.
Verify your assessment's accuracy today
Shoshone County homeowners should review their property assessments carefully to ensure they're not paying more than warranted. Filing an appeal against an overvalued assessment could yield meaningful annual savings.
Shoshone County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio ranks among America's least affordable, with renters spending over one-fifth of income on housing. With a median household income of just $49,975—the region's lowest—renters at $880 monthly face genuine affordability crisis conditions.
Idaho's least affordable county
Shoshone County's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in Idaho, far exceeding the state average of 16.8% and the national comfort threshold. This acute affordability gap reflects both lower local income and rents that outpace earning capacity.
Highest rent burden in the region
Shoshone's $880 rent sits near regional medians, but its $49,975 median income—$10,000 below any neighbor—creates the region's worst affordability crisis. Housing costs consume nearly one-fifth of household income here, double the comfortable threshold.
Housing dominates household budgets
Renters spend $880 monthly while homeowners pay $760 on median-valued homes of $222,700. Against the $49,975 median income, rents consume 21.1% of household resources while homeownership costs less proportionally—but require capital most residents lack.
Only move if income is secure
Shoshone County demands careful financial planning before relocation—household incomes here lag significantly while housing costs remain substantial. Only consider moving if your expected salary substantially exceeds the $49,975 median, ensuring housing won't consume excessive portions of your paycheck.
Shoshone County's median household income of $49,975 falls 33% below the national median of $74,755, the lowest among these eight counties. The county reflects long-term economic challenges in post-industrial mining regions.
Lowest income county in Idaho set
At $49,975, Shoshone trails Idaho's state average of $65,770 by $15,795, ranking among the lowest-income counties statewide. The decline reflects decades of resource-extraction economy contraction.
Significantly below all regional counties
Shoshone's $49,975 income trails every other county in this analysis, with the nearest county (Madison at $58,259) earning $8,284 more annually. The gap reflects Shoshone's unique economic struggles.
Housing costs strain low incomes
Shoshone's 21.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in the region, signaling housing affordability stress. A median home value of $222,700 remains out of reach for median-income households.
Focus on skills training and stability
Shoshone County residents earning $49,975 should prioritize income growth through upskilling and education before aggressive investing. Building small emergency reserves and accessing community financial counseling creates the foundation for future wealth-building.
At 73.6 years, Shoshone County residents live 3.9 years shorter than the U.S. average of 77.5 years—the lowest life expectancy in the state. With 22.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces the region's most severe wellness challenges.
Idaho's most vulnerable health county
Shoshone County's 73.6-year life expectancy ranks lowest in Idaho, trailing the state average of 77.5 years by 3.9 years. At 10.7% uninsured, coverage is slightly better than the state average of 11.7%, but other factors drive poor outcomes.
Shoshone trails all regional comparators
Shoshone County's 73.6-year life expectancy is 5.5 years below Madison County (79.1 years) and 4.5 years below Oneida (78.6 years). While primary care access at 44 per 100K is moderate, mental health providers at 121 per 100K cannot address the county's deep health burden.
Coverage adequate, but outcomes lag severely
Shoshone County's 10.7% uninsured rate is better than the state average, yet the county still experiences the lowest life expectancy in Idaho. This paradox suggests underlying social, economic, or occupational health challenges that transcend insurance access alone.
Shoshone County: health coverage is critical
Despite decent insurance rates, Shoshone County faces the state's gravest health crisis, with life expectancy nearly four years below the national average. Confirm your coverage at healthcare.gov and engage with available providers—care access is essential to reversing these trends.
Shoshone County's composite risk score of 62.85 places it above the national average and carries a "Relatively Low" overall rating. While not among the nation's highest-risk counties, residents face meaningful natural disaster exposure that requires preparedness and appropriate insurance.
Idaho's highest-risk county
Shoshone County's score of 62.85 ranks it as Idaho's riskiest county, substantially exceeding the state average of 38.51. This elevated position reflects the county's particular vulnerability to floods and wildfires in its mountainous terrain and river valleys.
Shoshone leads panhandle in risk
Shoshone County's 62.85 score ranks higher than all neighboring counties, making it the most disaster-exposed region in North Idaho and the Panhandle. Madison County's 58.62 comes closest, but Shoshone's flood risk of 76.02 sets it distinctly apart.
Floods and wildfires threaten Panhandle
Shoshone County faces a flood risk of 76.02—among Idaho's highest—due to its mountainous terrain where spring snowmelt and heavy rains inundate river valleys and create flash flood hazards. Wildfire risk at 69.62 compounds concerns, as surrounding forests provide abundant fuel for seasonal fires that threaten communities and air quality.
Flood and wildfire insurance essential
Given Shoshone County's flood risk of 76.02, homeowners should strongly consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially if located near rivers, creeks, or historically flood-prone areas. Additionally, ensure your homeowners policy covers wildfire damage and maintain defensible space by clearing vegetation around structures, as the county's 69.62 wildfire score requires serious fire preparedness.