Coeur d’Alene
City & Community Information
Located in northern Idaho, Coeur d’Alene is known for its proximity to dozens of nearby lakes. In fact, there are more than 55 lakes within easy driving distance of the city, including the city’s own, Lake Coeur d’Alene. With a population of around 50,000, Coeur d’Alene is the largest city in North Idaho and is a major tourist destination, especially for people interested in outdoor sports and activities such as paddle boarding, sailing, hiking, fishing, and more. Coeur d’Alene has two public libraries and is home to the North Idaho College (community college).
Cost of Living & Housing
As Coeur d’Alene has gained popularity in recent years, the cost of housing has increased. The median home price in Coeur d’Alene is $323,200 and the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom or studio apartment is $650-$675 per month. The overall cost of living in Coeur d’Alene is higher than the state average, however, nearby towns such as Post Falls and Rathdrum are less expensive and still provide access to Coeur d’Alene’s many amenities.
Keep in mind that, housing resources and community support are available in Coeur d’Alene. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 1” to find support services near Coeur d’Alene.
Culture
Coeur d’Alene has a fun and lively art scene that includes access to theatre, art galleries, live music, museums, and annual events and festivals. The city is known in particular for hosting big celebrations each year for the Fourth of July and boasts an exciting Holiday Light Show in the winter months.
Transportation
Coeur d’Alene is easily accessible to travelers by car with convenient access to I-90 and US Highway 95. There is free public transportation through a partnership with Citylink, which offers bus services to residents for easy access around town.
The nearest airport is the Spokane International Airport in Washington State, located 32 miles west. Amtrak trains also have a stop in Spokane, WA.
Sources: Best Places and Visit Coeur d’Alene
Lewiston
City & Community Information
Located in north-central Idaho, Lewiston is the second biggest city in the region and ninth-largest in the state with a population of over 32,000. Lewiston boasts an attractive downtown that supports small businesses and celebrates local history. Located at the confluence of the Snake River and the Clearwater River, the city’s main industries are agriculture, paper production, and lumber manufacturing. It is also the furthest inland port on the west coast. Lewiston is home to Lewis-Clark State College, one of Idaho’s 8 public universities, and host to its regional Workforce Training Center.
Cost of Living & Housing
The cost of living in Lewiston tends to be slightly lower than average for Idaho. The median home price is $243,000 and the average range to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment is between $530-$620 per month.
Housing and community support services are available in Lewiston. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 2” to find support services near Lewiston.
Culture
In recent years, Lewiston has focused heavily on downtown revitalization that has many attractive local shops, vendors, and restaurants. Other cultural attractions include the annual springtime Dogwood Festival that celebrates the blooming dogwood trees, their Hot August Nights celebrations that include classic car shows and live music and a large downtown Christmas festival.
Transportation
Like most Idaho towns, Lewiston is easily navigable by car. However, public transportation options also exist. The Lewiston Transit System serves bus routes across Lewiston and neighboring Clarkston, Washington. Monthly bus passes are available for $30 and the transit system offers a travel training course for people who are unfamiliar with public transportation to learn more about how to effectively get around on the bus system.
Sources: Best Places and City of Lewiston
Caldwell
City & Community Information
A mid-sized town in southwestern Idaho, Caldwell has a population of around 51,000 people. Traditionally, Caldwell was an agricultural community but in recent years it has been growing rapidly and expanding and improving its downtown area. Located about 30 minutes from Idaho’s state capital city of Boise, Caldwell is a great option for people looking for a quieter small-town feel, but with quick access to a bigger city. Caldwell has many parks, two golf courses, greenbelts, and walking paths.
Cost of Living & Housing
The cost of living in Caldwell tends to be slightly lower than average for Idaho. The median home price is $224,00 and the average range to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment is between $515-$630 per month. Caldwell is a rapidly growing community, and the cost of living has been steadily rising as a result.
Housing and community support services are available in Caldwell. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 3” to find support services near Caldwell.
Culture
Each summer, Caldwell holds the Canyon County Fair and the Caldwell Night Rodeo, well-established and wildly popular annual events. The Caldwell area is near an expanding wine growing and producing region and offers quick access to many places to camp, hike, and fish. The Indian Creek Plaza in downtown Caldwell is a major community hub, with exciting events including live music, farmers markets, 4th of July celebrations, harvest festivals, and much more.
Transportation
The Caldwell Express run by Valley Regional Transit offers transportation back and forth between Caldwell and Boise, making it easy to access the capital city. There is also a service called VRT OnDemand offered in Nampa and Caldwell that allows riders to get around Canyon County easily by booking a ride to different bus stops through the VRT OnDemand app or website. This service is offered Monday-Friday, 6 am – 8 pm. In addition to public transportation, Caldwell has walking and biking paths and is easily navigable by car.
Sources: Best Places and City of Caldwell
Boise
City & Community Information
The largest city in Idaho and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Boise is Idaho’s capital city and has a population of over 226,000. Boise is an ideal location for people who like the city lifestyle with plentiful shopping locations, a lively downtown, and an extensive network of walking and hiking trails. The city of Boise is known for being a great place for people who love outdoor recreation. It’s also the political hub of the state with the state capitol building located in the heart of downtown. Boise State University is located just across the Boise River from downtown.
Cost of Living & Housing
The cost of living in Boise is higher than average for Idaho. The median home price is $303,100 and the average range to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment is between $604-$740 per month, however, rentals can be much more expensive the closer to downtown Boise you go. Finding affordable housing in Boise has proven to be even more challenging in recent years.
Housing and community support services are available in Boise. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 4” to find support services near Boise.
Culture
Boise is a lively town with many restaurants, stores, museums, parks, and events all year round. Some of Boise’s most notable and celebrated events include the Spirit of Boise hot air balloon festival, the Winter Garden A Glow holiday lights event at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, the Western Idaho State Fair, Jaialdi Basque Festival, Treefort Music Fest, and many more. Live music, sporting events, and other entertainment are easy to find in Boise and the surrounding cities like Garden City, Meridian, and Eagle. With the proximity of the foothills and the Boise River, there is also a lot of opportunity to recreate outdoors without even leaving the city limits. Many residents enjoy fishing, hiking, and mountain biking just minutes from downtown.
Transportation
Valley Ride Regional Transit provides an extensive bus network around Boise. Buses connect to various areas of the city, downtown, and to neighboring cities like Nampa and Caldwell. With bike lanes on many streets and a far-reaching greenbelt system, Boise is also a bike-friendly city. The Boise Regional Airport is 10 minutes from downtown and offers many connections to regional cities.
Sources: Best Places and City of Boise
Twin Falls
City & Community Information
Located along the Snake River in central southern Idaho, Twin Falls is a steadily growing city with a population of just under 49,000 people. Sometimes called the City of Waterfalls, Twin Falls is a great city for those who love outdoor recreation. Nearby whitewater activity makes it exciting and accessible for boating enthusiasts and its proximity to the river and the Snake River Canyon make it an attractive city for the adventurous. Twin Falls is also the home of the College of Southern Idaho, a local community college.
Cost of Living & Housing
The cost of living in Twin Falls tends to be quite a bit lower than average for Idaho. The median home price is $206,500 and the average range to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment is between $490-$570 per month. The Magic Valley area also has nearby smaller towns including Jerome, Wendell, Buhl, and Filer that offer an even more affordable cost of living.
Housing and community support services are available in Twin Falls. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 5” to find support services near Twin Falls.
Culture
The beautiful Snake River Canyon and the proximity to the majestic Shoshone Falls make Twin Falls a perfect home for those seeking scenic views. Aside from outdoor activities, Twin Falls also has an arts and science center, historical sites, a growing downtown, and a county fair that give it a family-friendly city feel. With a golf course, restaurants, and nearby hot springs, Twin Falls is a friendly and approachable place to live.
Transportation
While Twin Falls is easily navigable by car and has biking and walking pathways, there are fewer options for public transportation. The Trans IV bus service offers bus rides, but they must be scheduled the day before and are by appointment.
Sources: Best Places and City of Twin Falls
Pocatello
City & Community Information
A city known for its strong economy and as the home of Idaho State University, Pocatello has a population of about 55,000 residents. Nestled in the western foothills of the Rocky Mountains along the Oregon Trail, Pocatello still has a small-town feel, offering many a quiet, relaxed lifestyle while still providing access to community amenities. With a nice 4-season climate and most often sunny and dry days, Pocatello has a quiet and relaxed lifestyle.
The cost of living in Pocatello is quite a bit lower than average for Idaho. The median home price is $171,100 and the average range to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment is between $450-$530 per month. Housing and community support services are available in Pocatello. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 6” to find support services near Pocatello. Pocatello has 32 parks, a museum of natural history, several golf courses, an aquatic complex, a Nordic Center for cross-country skiing, over 1,000 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, and a zoo. There are also many special events over the course of the year including a rodeo, the Pocatello Marathon, live music and performances at the performing arts center, and more. There’s no shortage of indoor or outdoor activities in this community! Pocatello Regional Transit offers fixed bus route public transportation services, door-to-door transportation services for ADA qualified, and commuter services, which provide transportation to and from more rural areas of the city. Pocatello is also easily navigable by car and the pathways and greenbelt make it a fairly walkable city as well. Sources: Best Places and Visit Pocatello Culture
Transportation
Idaho Falls
City & Community Information
Located in eastern Idaho, Idaho Falls is a growing town of about 61,000 residents. Situated next to the Snake River, Idaho Falls has an attractive greenbelt and beautiful waterfalls near downtown. Idaho Falls is the state’s largest city area outside of the Boise metropolitan area and is home to the College of Eastern Idaho, one of the state’s public community colleges. Idaho Falls is notable for its proximity to other travel destinations including Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, and Grand Teton National Park.
Cost of Living & Housing
The cost of living in Idaho Falls tends to be quite a bit lower than average for Idaho. The median home price is $203,200 and the average range to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment is between $500-$600 per month.
Housing and community support services are available in Idaho Falls. Visit the support services section of this website and filter by “District 7” to find support services near Idaho Falls.
Culture
With an up-and-coming downtown, Idaho Falls boasts many local shops and restaurants to explore. Downtown also features The Colonial Theater and Civic Auditorium which draw in a host of musical and entertainment performances. The Museum of Idaho and Tautphaus Park Zoo are other popular attractions near downtown Idaho Falls. On the 4th of July, Idaho Falls has a notable fireworks display that draws visitors from around the region. Every summer citizens of Idaho Falls gather for Alive After Five for fun live music performances, food, and festivities at the Civitan Plaza.
Transportation
Idaho Falls is in the process of expanding public transportation in the city but does not have many offerings currently. The city is most easily navigable by car but does have an extensive greenbelt near the river for foot or bike traffic.
Sources: Best Places and Visit Idaho Falls