Idaho is repeatedly ranked at the bottom of the country in terms of wealth and minimum wage levels, often rendering our relatively inexpensive economy moot. Needless to say, if you’re thinking of moving to Idaho, you might be feeling the need to follow the money. After all, a city’s average income level is often a sign of a healthy, stable economy – something that can definitely ease the stress of the day-to-day grind.
Surprisingly, the most recent data from the 2010-2014 American Community Survey shakes up what many Idahoans previously thought to be the state’s wealthiest areas, but each city shares a few common characteristics: high home prices and marital rates, plus a chart-topping annual income. After analyzing places in Idaho with populations greater than 5,000 on the basis of Poverty Levels, Median Household Income, and Unemployment Rate (to give a well-rounded picture of wealth potential), here are the richest cities in Idaho.
- Kuna
Kuna Chamber of Commerce/Facebook Median Income: $56,533
Poverty Level: 10.2%
Unemployment Rate: 9.3%
Comfortably rural but still a scenic and welcoming part of the Boise metro, the mid-sized city of Kuna is perfectly seated as one of Idaho’s wealthiest cities.
- Hayden
City of Hayden/Facebook Median Income: $54,481
Poverty Level: 6.3%
Unemployment Rate: 9.3%
Just north of Coeur d’Alene and a few miles shy of Hayden Lake, this Panhandle city is an active, waterfront destination for both Idahoans and tourists alike, allowing residents to live comfortably.
- Lewiston
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Median Income: $45,148
Poverty Level: 10.8%
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Idaho’s original capital city, only seaport, and gateway to Hells Canyon is a vibrant city that thrives particularly due to its strong tourism and recreation economy.
- Chubbuck
City of Chubbuck Median Income: $44,650
Poverty Level: 10.0%
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Part of the Pocatello metro area, Chubbuck is another overlooked city that shines for its financial appeal. A healthy tourism industry contributes to a comfortable lifestyle for its residents.
- Meridian
City of Meridian, ID - Government/Facebook Median Income: 6322500.0%
Poverty Level: 8.3%
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
Meridian shines in national rankings as a fantastic place to raise a family, but a healthy and progressive business sector is what truly takes this metro city to the top.
- Preston
Preston, Idaho/Facebook Median Income: $49,955
Poverty Level: 6.8%
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
While Preston barely sneaks in over the population cutoff, a simple way of life and local economic support makes this small town wealthier than many of its large city counterparts.
- Star
Star Community Updates/Facebook Median Income: $58,906
Poverty Level: 13.3%
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
A prime spot near Boise, combined with the low cost of living that comes naturally with a rural lifestyle, Star is perfectly seated to earn a spot as one of Idaho’s wealthiest cities.
- Ammon
City of Ammon/Facebook Median Income: $59,497
Poverty Level: 11.2%
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Ammon is seriously underrated and overlooked as a fantastically well-rounded place to live. A solid employment rate and family vibe lands this gem in the top 3.
- Eagle
City of Eagle/Facebook Median Income: $82,264
Poverty Level: 5.9%
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
One quick drive to Eagle and it will be easy to see why this metro city made it to the top of this list. High end developments, lavish landscaping, and a booming business economy gives Eagle the highest income in the state. Only a marginal increase in unemployment squeezed this city out of the top spot.
- Hailey
Devon D’Ewart/Flickr Median Income: $65,625
Poverty Level: 6.0%
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Hailey receives a great deal of recognition nationally for its awesome culture and beautiful scenery. Now, after overtaking Eagle for the #1 spot, there’s one more thing to love about this Sun Valley getaway – congrats!
There you have it! Idaho is no Silicon Valley, but we have some great places to live nonetheless. Fortunately, Idaho’s richest cities are spread throughout the state, giving everyone the opportunity to live comfortably.
Kuna Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Median Income: $56,533
Poverty Level: 10.2%
Unemployment Rate: 9.3%
Comfortably rural but still a scenic and welcoming part of the Boise metro, the mid-sized city of Kuna is perfectly seated as one of Idaho’s wealthiest cities.
City of Hayden/Facebook
Median Income: $54,481
Poverty Level: 6.3%
Unemployment Rate: 9.3%
Just north of Coeur d’Alene and a few miles shy of Hayden Lake, this Panhandle city is an active, waterfront destination for both Idahoans and tourists alike, allowing residents to live comfortably.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Median Income: $45,148
Poverty Level: 10.8%
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Idaho’s original capital city, only seaport, and gateway to Hells Canyon is a vibrant city that thrives particularly due to its strong tourism and recreation economy.
City of Chubbuck
Median Income: $44,650
Poverty Level: 10.0%
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Part of the Pocatello metro area, Chubbuck is another overlooked city that shines for its financial appeal. A healthy tourism industry contributes to a comfortable lifestyle for its residents.
City of Meridian, ID - Government/Facebook
Median Income: 6322500.0%
Poverty Level: 8.3%
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
Meridian shines in national rankings as a fantastic place to raise a family, but a healthy and progressive business sector is what truly takes this metro city to the top.
Preston, Idaho/Facebook
Median Income: $49,955
Poverty Level: 6.8%
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
While Preston barely sneaks in over the population cutoff, a simple way of life and local economic support makes this small town wealthier than many of its large city counterparts.
Star Community Updates/Facebook
Median Income: $58,906
Poverty Level: 13.3%
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
A prime spot near Boise, combined with the low cost of living that comes naturally with a rural lifestyle, Star is perfectly seated to earn a spot as one of Idaho’s wealthiest cities.
City of Ammon/Facebook
Median Income: $59,497
Poverty Level: 11.2%
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Ammon is seriously underrated and overlooked as a fantastically well-rounded place to live. A solid employment rate and family vibe lands this gem in the top 3.
City of Eagle/Facebook
Median Income: $82,264
Poverty Level: 5.9%
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
One quick drive to Eagle and it will be easy to see why this metro city made it to the top of this list. High end developments, lavish landscaping, and a booming business economy gives Eagle the highest income in the state. Only a marginal increase in unemployment squeezed this city out of the top spot.
Devon D’Ewart/Flickr
Median Income: $65,625
Poverty Level: 6.0%
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
Hailey receives a great deal of recognition nationally for its awesome culture and beautiful scenery. Now, after overtaking Eagle for the #1 spot, there’s one more thing to love about this Sun Valley getaway – congrats!
Did any of the places on this list surprise you?
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
