IdahoPop. 16,493Towns
Is Mountain Home a Good Place to Live? Mountain Home, Idaho: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Mountain Home ranks #1093 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #194 of 234 towns and #20 of 20 in Idaho. It sits near the middle of similar-size cities on income, costs, crime and commute.
Mountain Home by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Mountain Home's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
What is the cost of living in Mountain Home?
Mountain Home's cost of living index is 91.9, 8% below the US level of 100 and #310 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,155/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $361,184, 25% below the typical Idaho home ($478,744).
| Measure | Mountain Home | IdahoID | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 91.9#310 of 1,308 | 95.5 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $361,184#538 of 1,187 | $478,744 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Typical asking rentZillow Observed Rent Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,583/mo · US $1,948/mo | $1,719/mo#528 of 1,115 | — | $1,583/mo | $1,948/mo |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $309,400#556 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,155/mo#394 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 4.9x#823 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 22%#680 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Idaho is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Mountain Home housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Mountain Home is in the Mountain Home, ID metro.
Idaho housing market →Is Mountain Home safe?
Mountain Home recorded 193 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 41% below the US rate of 328 and 11% below Idaho's 217. That ranks #344 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #67 of 146 towns, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Mountain Home Police Department. Property crime runs 520 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
| Measure | Mountain Home | IdahoID | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 220 · US 328 | 193#344 of 1,085 | 217 | 220 | 328 |
| Property crime per 100,000FBI Crime Data Explorer · rank 1 = safestSimilar-size 1,379 · US 1,548 | 520#28 of 1,085 | 605 | 1,379 | 1,548 |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Idaho is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. City rates come from each police agency's report to the FBI and are not strictly comparable across agencies.
What do people earn in Mountain Home?
The median household in Mountain Home earns $63,125, 24% below the US figure of $83,163 and 22% below Idaho ($81,166). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
| Measure | Mountain Home | IdahoID | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $63,125#972 of 1,312 | $81,166 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 11.4%#608 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
| Population growth, one yearCensus population estimates · rank 1 = fastestSimilar-size 0% · US +0.5% | 0%#663 of 1,132 | +1.4% | 0% | +0.5% |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Idaho is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Mountain Home?
The median resident of Mountain Home is 31.7 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 22% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1093 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 67.1% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Mountain Home | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 31.7 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 22%#1093 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 67.1% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Mountain Home's schools and health?
Mountain Home's 8 public schools graduate 86% of students in four years (Idaho 79.9%), with 18.8 students per teacher and $9,281 spent per pupil. 34.5% of adults are obese and 10.2% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Mountain Home | IdahoID | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school graduation rateDepartment of Education EDFacts · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 87% | 86%#647 of 1,063 | 79.9% | 87% | — |
| Students per teacherNCES Common Core of Data · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 14.1 | 18.8#885 of 1,188 | — | 14.1 | — |
| Spending per pupilNCES school finance survey · rank 1 = mostSimilar-size $14,825 | $9,281#1174 of 1,188 | — | $14,825 | — |
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 34.5%#734 of 1,311 | — | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 10.2%#440 of 1,311 | — | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 18.3%#915 of 1,311 | — | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 13.7%#1007 of 1,311 | — | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Idaho is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. 3,538 students are enrolled in Mountain Home's public schools.
What are the commute and weather like in Mountain Home?
The average commute in Mountain Home is 23 minutes (Idaho 22.2); 0% of workers take transit and 3.6% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Mountain Home scores 9.2 of 20 (below average walkable), #791 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 74.8°F and winters 36.6°F, with 7.4 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Mountain Home | IdahoID | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 23 min#599 of 1,312 | 22.2 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 6.2%#736 of 1,312 | 5.6% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 87.6% | 72.9% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 0.5% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 1.7% | 2.6% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.6% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 3.6% | 12.7% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 9.2#791 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Idaho is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43.1 | 27 | 1 |
| Feb | 50.9 | 29.2 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 60.8 | 35 | 0.7 |
| Apr | 68.3 | 40.2 | 0.7 |
| May | 76 | 47.9 | 1.2 |
| Jun | 85.4 | 54.5 | 0.6 |
| Jul | 95.7 | 60.6 | 0.1 |
| Aug | 94.2 | 58.4 | 0.1 |
| Sep | 84.2 | 49 | 0.3 |
| Oct | 69.5 | 39.6 | 0.6 |
| Nov | 54 | 32 | 0.6 |
| Dec | 43 | 26.4 | 1 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Bruneau.
| Measure | Mountain Home | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 55.2°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 74.8°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 36.6°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 7.4 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Bruneau.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Mountain Home?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in Mountain Home's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Elmore County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.35% of building value, higher than 92% of US counties.
| Measure | Mountain Home | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.35%#1147 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Elmore County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Elmore County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 0.22% | 100% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0034% | 55% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.082% | 51% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Mountain Home compare with similar-size cities?
Mountain Home is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #194 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 16,493.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home, IDPop. 16,493 | #1093 | 48.0 | $63,125 | $1,155/mo | 193 | 23 min |
| Laconia, NHPop. 17,085 | #404 | 60.0 | $73,218 | $1,224/mo | 184 | 17 min |
| Waterville, MEPop. 17,077 | #522 | 57.8 | $53,580 | $978/mo | 91 | 18 min |
| Beckley, WVPop. 16,818 | #1308 | 34.1 | $45,826 | $869/mo | 716 | 16.5 min |
| La Vista, NEPop. 16,563 | #382 | 60.4 | $81,961 | $1,317/mo | 67 | 20.2 min |
| Schofield Barracks, HIPop. 16,270 | #869 | 52.2 | $80,388 | $3,230/mo | no data | 10.6 min |
| Jamestown, NDPop. 15,787 | #813 | 53.2 | $56,554 | $773/mo | 133 | 10.9 min |
| Dayton, NVPop. 15,781 | #887 | 52.0 | $102,819 | $1,521/mo | no data | 30.8 min |
| Rutland, VTPop. 15,712 | #514 | 57.9 | $57,675 | $995/mo | 464 | 16 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Mountain Home compare with the rest of Idaho?
Mountain Home ranks #20 of the 20 Idaho cities we track, with a score of 48 against Idaho's statewide 78.4. Its households earn 22% below the Idaho median. Violent crime is 11% below the statewide rate. Homes are 25% below the typical Idaho home.
| City | Rank in ID | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian, IDPop. 130,138 | #1 | 64.7 | $100,795 | $1,805/mo | 137 |
| Boise, IDPop. 237,242 | #2 | 64.4 | $83,904 | $1,446/mo | 289 |
| Eagle, IDPop. 32,855 | #3 | 62.6 | $122,894 | $1,765/mo | no data |
| Star, IDPop. 14,745 | #4 | 60.5 | $97,936 | $1,924/mo | no data |
| Moscow, IDPop. 26,286 | #5 | 60.3 | $57,022 | $927/mo | 37 |
| Coeur d'Alene, IDPop. 56,447 | #6 | 59.9 | $72,338 | $1,468/mo | 235 |
| Kuna, IDPop. 27,158 | #7 | 59.9 | $96,219 | $1,774/mo | no data |
| Idaho Falls, IDPop. 67,725 | #8 | 59.0 | $73,110 | $1,075/mo | 301 |
| Nampa, IDPop. 110,319 | #9 | 58.6 | $74,279 | $1,420/mo | 310 |
| Lewiston, IDPop. 34,651 | #10 | 58.3 | $72,197 | $1,027/mo | 175 |
| Post Falls, IDPop. 43,391 | #11 | 58.0 | $82,183 | $1,469/mo | 168 |
| Caldwell, IDPop. 66,516 | #12 | 57.3 | $73,058 | $1,264/mo | 482 |
| Twin Falls, IDPop. 54,164 | #13 | 56.3 | $61,205 | $1,082/mo | 359 |
| Chubbuck, IDPop. 16,126 | #14 | 56.3 | $82,977 | $1,048/mo | 280 |
| Hayden, IDPop. 16,338 | #15 | 55.9 | $82,958 | $1,733/mo | no data |
| Pocatello, IDPop. 57,635 | #16 | 55.1 | $60,418 | $948/mo | 331 |
| Rexburg, IDPop. 40,543 | #17 | 54.9 | $50,617 | $1,004/mo | 49 |
| Ammon, IDPop. 19,064 | #18 | 52.2 | $86,121 | $1,372/mo | no data |
| Jerome, IDPop. 12,930 | #19 | 50.4 | $66,894 | $947/mo | 356 |
| Mountain Home, IDPop. 16,493 | #20 | 48.0 | $63,125 | $1,155/mo | 193 |
All 20 Idaho cities we track, by overall score. Idaho statewide: median income $81,166, violent crime 217.3 per 100,000.
How is Mountain Home's score calculated?
Mountain Home scores 48 out of 100, #1093 of 1,312 (grade D, which follows rank). It is scored on the 10 of 11 categories with local data; outdoor access is left out rather than filled with Idaho's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 16% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Mountain Home. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
24.5 - SafetyCity data · 13% of score
Violent and property crime per 100,000 residents, as reported to the FBI by Mountain Home's police agency. Similar-size median 81.4.
90.8 - HealthCity data · 13% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Mountain Home. Similar-size median 56.5.
53.7 - EducationCity data · 13% of score
Graduation rate, students per teacher and spending per pupil in Mountain Home's public schools. Similar-size median 62.6.
41.3 - AffordabilityCity data · 11% of score
Mountain Home's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
75.4 - Household financesCity data · 9% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Mountain Home. Similar-size median 50.8.
46.7 - GrowthCity data, some inputs missing · 7% of score
Population growth and unemployment in Mountain Home. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 35.2.
28.6 - TransportationCity data · 7% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Mountain Home. Similar-size median 48.3.
35.3 - WalkabilityCity data · 7% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Mountain Home's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
43.2 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 4% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 59.2.
8.5 - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Mountain Home's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Mountain Home has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Mountain Home
Is Mountain Home, ID a good place to live?
Mountain Home ranks #1093 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #194 of 234 towns and #20 of 20 in Idaho. It sits near the middle of similar-size cities on income, costs, crime and commute.
What is the cost of living in Mountain Home?
Mountain Home's cost of living index is 91.9, 8% below the US level of 100 and #310 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,155/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $361,184, 25% below the typical Idaho home ($478,744).
What is the crime rate in Mountain Home?
Mountain Home recorded 193 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, 41% below the US rate of 328 and 11% below Idaho's 217. That ranks #344 of 1,085 cities with data (1 = safest) and #67 of 146 towns, from a full year of reports to the FBI by Mountain Home Police Department. Property crime runs 520 per 100,000 (US 1,548).
What is the median household income in Mountain Home?
The median household in Mountain Home earns $63,125, 24% below the US figure of $83,163 and 22% below Idaho ($81,166). 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The population grew 0% in the latest year (US +0.5%).
How much is rent in Mountain Home?
Median rent in Mountain Home is $1,155/mo (Census), #394 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). The typical asking rent for a unit on the market now is $1,719/mo, against $1,948/mo nationally. Median rent takes 22% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Mountain Home?
The typical home value in Mountain Home is $361,184, up 1.7% in a year, against $478,744 for Idaho and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $309,400.
How are the public schools in Mountain Home?
Mountain Home's 8 public schools graduate 86% of students in four years (Idaho 79.9%), with 18.8 students per teacher and $9,281 spent per pupil.
How long is the commute in Mountain Home?
The average commute is 23 minutes, #599 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 22.2 minutes across Idaho. 6.2% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Mountain Home?
Mountain Home averages 55.2°F over the year, 74.8°F in summer and 36.6°F in winter, with 7.4 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Mountain Home walkable?
Mountain Home scores 9.2 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #791 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Mountain Home at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Elmore County's biggest natural hazard losses in wildfire, earthquake, and inland flooding, with expected yearly losses of 0.35% of building value, higher than 92% of US counties.
Who lives in Mountain Home?
Mountain Home has 16,493 residents. The median resident of Mountain Home is 31.7 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 22% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #1093 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 67.1% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Mountain Home compare with the rest of Idaho?
Mountain Home ranks #20 of the 20 Idaho cities we track, with a score of 48 against Idaho's statewide 78.4. Its households earn 22% below the Idaho median. Violent crime is 11% below the statewide rate. Homes are 25% below the typical Idaho home.
What cities are similar in size to Mountain Home?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Mountain Home's population of 16,493 are Laconia, NH (#404 overall), Waterville, ME (#522 overall), Beckley, WV (#1308 overall), La Vista, NE (#382 overall), and Schofield Barracks, HI (#869 overall). Mountain Home is #1093.