Twin Falls County

Idaho · ID

#38 in Idaho
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Twin Falls County, Idaho

Twin Falls significantly outperforms national baseline

Twin Falls County's composite score of 69.1 beats the national median of 50.0 by nearly 40%, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. This positions the county firmly in the top quarter of American counties for livability.

Mid-pack Idaho livability with room to grow

Twin Falls ranks in the middle tier of Idaho's 44 counties with a composite score of 69.1, slightly below the state average of 72.5. The county has livability advantages but trails its best-performing neighbors.

Affordable housing and reasonable taxes lead the way

Twin Falls stands out for housing affordability with a cost score of 73.3 and median home value of just $292,700—lowest among these four counties. A tax score of 83.5 (effective rate 0.667%) and reasonable median rent of $1,011/month make it accessible for working families.

Income stagnation and disaster risk lag behind

Twin Falls' significant challenge is depressed income, scoring just 26.0 with median household income of $65,338—nearly $25K below Teton County. Natural disaster risk (53.1) and health outcomes (68.9) also rank lower than comparable Idaho counties, suggesting potential infrastructure or economic gaps.

Best for cost-conscious families prioritizing housing

Twin Falls suits families and young professionals seeking affordable housing and low taxes without premium incomes. If you value a budget-friendly cost of living over amenities or top-tier health infrastructure, Twin Falls offers genuine livability at an accessible price point.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.5Cost73.3SafetyComing SoonHealth68.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome26Risk53.1WaterComing Soon
🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠73.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼26
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
68.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
53.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Twin Falls County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Twin Falls County

via TaxByCounty

Twin Falls taxes above U.S. median

Twin Falls County's effective tax rate of 0.667% exceeds the national median of 0.73% by a hair, placing it near the middle of the national distribution. The median tax bill of $1,951 sits $739 below the national median of $2,690, thanks to Twin Falls' lower median home values.

Idaho's third-highest tax rate

Twin Falls County ranks third-highest in Idaho for effective tax rate at 0.667%, well above the state average of 0.508%. This 0.159 percentage-point premium means Twin Falls residents carry a heavier load than most neighboring Idahoans.

Steepest rates in the region

Twin Falls County's 0.667% rate significantly exceeds Teton County (0.346%), Valley County (0.297%), and Washington County (0.526%). Only Twin Falls and Washington County exceed the state average, making this corner of Idaho comparatively tax-heavy.

What the average Twin Falls home costs annually

A homeowner with a median-valued Twin Falls property ($292,700) pays approximately $1,951 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $2,121; without one, it drops to $1,752.

Appeal if you suspect overassessment

Many Idaho property owners are assessed above fair market value and can file an appeal for refunds. Twin Falls County assessor's office accepts appeals at no cost—a simple process that could recover thousands in overpaid taxes if your assessment exceeds comparable sales.

Cost of Living in Twin Falls County

via CostByCounty

Twin Falls rents strain tighter budgets

Twin Falls County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% exceeds the national norm, indicating renters here spend a larger share of earnings on housing than the U.S. average. With median household income at $65,338—$9,400 below the national figure—residents face a squeeze between modest earnings and rising housing costs.

Above-average housing burden in Idaho

Twin Falls ranks among Idaho's least affordable counties with a rent-to-income ratio of 18.6%, nearly 2 percentage points worse than the state average of 16.8%. This gap reflects the county's lower income levels relative to statewide norms, even as rents climb.

Rents comparable, incomes lower

Twin Falls' median rent of $1,011 matches Valley County exactly, yet Twin Falls residents earn $10,787 less annually, amplifying the affordability burden. This mismatch makes Twin Falls a tighter market for renters compared to wealthier neighbors.

Renters and buyers both squeezed

Twin Falls renters dedicate nearly 19% of income to $1,011 monthly rent, while homeowners commit about 20% to $1,099 ownership costs on homes averaging $293,000. Neither pathway offers clear financial relief for a median household earning just over $65,000 annually.

Twin Falls: Affordable homes, tight budgets

Relocating to Twin Falls? The county offers genuinely affordable home prices ($293k median) and modest rents, but income growth matters—wages here lag state peers. Job seekers should prioritize positions with above-county-median salaries to ease the housing-to-income squeeze.

Income & Jobs in Twin Falls County

via IncomeByCounty

Twin Falls Trails National Average

Twin Falls County's median household income of $65,338 falls 13% short of the national median of $74,755, placing the county below America's middle tier. The gap reflects Idaho's lower regional wage structure compared to national averages. Twin Falls still earns more than many rural and agricultural counties nationwide.

Just Below Idaho's Middle

Twin Falls' $65,338 median household income sits nearly at Idaho's state average of $65,770, reflecting its role as a typical Idaho county economically. The per capita income of $33,505 edges above the state average of $32,503, suggesting some income inequality within households. Twin Falls represents the mainstream of Idaho earnings.

Twin Falls: Middle Ground Regionally

Twin Falls' $65,338 income positions it between Teton County's $90,740 and Washington County's $53,608, making it a middle-income regional hub. Valley County slightly outpaces it at $76,125, reflecting the valley's stronger service and tourism economy. Twin Falls serves as the economic bridge between Idaho's wealthy resort areas and its rural counties.

Balanced Housing Affordability

Twin Falls' 18.6% rent-to-income ratio indicates moderate housing cost pressure, with median home values at $292,700. The ratio approaches the 20% threshold where affordability becomes strained, suggesting housing consumes roughly a fifth of typical household earnings. Families here have less cushion than Teton but more than Washington County.

Protect and Build Your Future

Twin Falls households earning $65,338 should prioritize emergency savings and manageable debt to weather housing costs and economic shifts. Tax-deferred retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s become essential tools for building long-term wealth in a moderate-income environment. Start small and increase contributions as your income grows.

Health in Twin Falls County

via HealthByCounty

Twin Falls Falls Short on Life Expectancy

Twin Falls County residents average 76.0 years—1.5 years below the U.S. average of 77.5 years. About 17.3% report poor or fair health, a concern for a population of this size. These metrics signal room for improvement in preventing chronic disease.

Below Idaho's Statewide Average

At 76.0 years, Twin Falls County trails Idaho's 77.5-year state average by 1.5 years. The 17.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state benchmark, placing Twin Falls in the lower half of Idaho counties. These trends warrant attention to population health drivers.

Challenges Compared to Neighbors

Twin Falls County's 76.0-year life expectancy lags Teton County (83.1 years) by 7.1 years and Valley County (83.0 years) by 7.0 years. At 17.3% poor/fair health, Twin Falls matches Washington County's struggles. The gap signals differing health challenges across rural Idaho.

Strong Provider Access Despite Health Gaps

Twin Falls County boasts 65 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above the county average—and 301 mental health providers per 100,000. With an 11.2% uninsured rate, below the state average of 11.7%, most residents have coverage. Good access doesn't yet translate to better outcomes.

Strengthen Insurance Coverage

Though Twin Falls has lower uninsured rates than some counties, the 11.2% still represents thousands without steady coverage. Check healthcare.gov or local Medicaid offices to ensure you and your family are enrolled. Better insurance uptake could help address the county's health outcome challenges.

Disaster Risk in Twin Falls County

via RiskByCounty

Twin Falls County has relatively low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 46.95, Twin Falls County sits below the national average and ranks as relatively low-risk for natural disasters. This places the county in a safer zone compared to most U.S. counties, though still above several Idaho peers.

Mid-range risk among Idaho counties

Twin Falls County scores 46.95 against Idaho's state average of 38.51, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 44 counties. While not the safest, it faces lower combined disaster risk than many other Idaho communities.

Riskier than Teton and Washington counties

Twin Falls County (46.95) faces noticeably higher disaster risk than neighboring Teton County (29.45) and Washington County (30.31). Valley County presents a comparable threat profile at 55.63, making Twin Falls relatively positioned between safer and higher-risk neighbors.

Wildfires and earthquakes lead threats

Wildfire risk dominates Twin Falls County's hazard profile at 93.96, while earthquake exposure stands at 73.95—both substantially above many U.S. counties. Flood risk (51.11) adds a secondary concern, though tornadoes remain minimal at 13.42.

Bundle wildfire and earthquake insurance

Twin Falls County residents should add wildfire and earthquake coverage to standard homeowners policies, which exclude both hazards. These two risks account for most of your county's natural disaster exposure and warrant dedicated protection.

ByCounty Network

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