Best Cities for Families in Idaho
Idaho ranks #7 of 50 for families, with a families score of 80.6. Boise City is its best city for families at 67.3.
- Idaho, all states
- #7 of 50
- Population
- 237,242
Why Idaho Works for Families
Idaho is a top-ten state for families, ranking #7 out of 50. With moderate schools, a low violent crime rate of 217.3 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $81,166, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 95.5.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Idaho shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 79.9%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 55/100) mask significant local variation. Center-based infant care costs $10,887 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Idaho excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 217.3 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 95.5, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Boise City | A | 67.3 | 64.4 | — | 82 | 61 | 237,242 |
| 2Moscow | B+ | 67.2 | 60.3 | 54 | 96 | 75 | 26,286 |
| 3Meridian | A | 64.1 | 64.7 | 40 | 95 | 54 | 130,138 |
| 4Coeur d'Alene | B+ | 63.0 | 59.9 | 51 | 87 | 61 | 56,447 |
| 5Lewiston | B | 62.5 | 58.3 | 57 | 86 | 76 | 34,651 |
| 6Rexburg | C+ | 62.0 | 54.9 | 40 | 100 | 74 | 40,543 |
| 7Nampa | B | 61.9 | 58.6 | 40 | 82 | 66 | 110,319 |
| 8Post Falls | B | 61.8 | 58.0 | 42 | 91 | 61 | 43,391 |
| 9Twin Falls | B | 60.8 | 56.3 | 36 | 77 | 76 | 54,164 |
| 10Pocatello | C+ | 60.2 | 55.1 | 46 | 76 | 81 | 57,635 |
| 11Chubbuck | B | 60.1 | 56.3 | 42 | 77 | 77 | 16,126 |
| 12Idaho Falls | B+ | 59.4 | 59.0 | 40 | 81 | 74 | 67,725 |
| 13Caldwell | B | 59.1 | 57.3 | 36 | 71 | 68 | 66,516 |
| 14Kuna | B+ | 58.9 | 59.9 | 46 | — | 59 | 27,158 |
| 15Hayden | B | 58.4 | 55.9 | — | — | 57 | 16,338 |
| 16Star | B+ | 57.5 | 60.5 | — | — | 52 | 14,745 |
| 17Jerome | C | 57.3 | 50.4 | 28 | 81 | 81 | 12,930 |
| 18Ammon | C | 56.1 | 52.2 | 39 | — | 68 | 19,064 |
| 19Eagle | B+ | 55.9 | 62.6 | 37 | — | 45 | 32,855 |
| 20Mountain Home | D | 54.6 | 48.0 | 41 | 91 | 75 | 16,493 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Idaho for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idaho a good state for families?
Idaho ranks #7 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 80.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (87/100) and its weakest is Livability (40/100).
What is the best city for families in Idaho?
Boise City ranks #1 in Idaho for families with a score of 67.3/100, followed by Moscow and Meridian.
What factors are most important for families in Idaho?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.