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City Housing Verdict

Caldwell, ID

Stretch

The cost of living in Caldwell, ID is 4% below the national average (Cost Index: 96). Homes here are typically valued around $322,100, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $66,663 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Caldwell sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Stretch

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Caldwell.

Monthly Housing
$1,135/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
20%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$3,920/mo
After housing and debt · $1,307/person
Rent vs Buy
Renting is the lower-pressure baseline
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 29%
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Cost Index
96
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$322,100
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,135/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$66,663
National: $78,538
Population
63,465
Purchasing Power
88
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
106 / 100
6% above average
Rent Index
84 / 100
16% below average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
Utilities
71 / 100
29% lower utility bills
Healthcare & Services
99 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
96
Average

Caldwell Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $322,100 and Idaho's property tax rate of 0.63%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$66,663
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
20%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
4.8x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Caldwell looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Caldwell, ID

Est. Annual Property Tax
$2,029
Monthly Impact
$169
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.63%
National avg: ~1.00%

Idaho Place Tax Context

Tax TypeIdahoNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.63%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate5.8%~5.0%
State Sales Tax6.02%~5.0%

Compare Caldwell to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Caldwell, ID
96
84
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Caldwell, ID: 106
Rent Prices
84

FAQ: Living in Caldwell

What is the cost of living like in Caldwell, ID?+

Living costs in Caldwell land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 96 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $322,100, and typical monthly rents run around $1,135. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.

How does Caldwell fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,135, while local median household income is $66,663. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 20% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Caldwell, ID?+

Idaho has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 5.8%. The effective property tax rate is 0.63%. On a home worth $322,100, that translates to roughly $2,029 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 6.02% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Caldwell, ID?+

The typical monthly rent in Caldwell is around $1,135. That's roughly 16% lower than the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $322,100, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Caldwell, ID?+

The median home in Caldwell is valued at $322,100. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,629/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 71% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Caldwell?+

Grocery prices in Caldwell are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 71). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Caldwell, ID like to live in?+

Caldwell is a smaller city with a population of about 63,465. The median age of residents is 30.8, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 13.33%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Idaho

If Caldwell feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Idaho

Use these city pages when you want to compare Caldwell against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly