State Comparison

Oregon vs Idaho

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

Oregon

2 tied

of 16 metrics

Idaho

Cost of Living

Metric

Oregon

Idaho

Advantage

Cost of Living Index

Composite index where 100 = national average. Lower means more affordable.

OR: 113.1

ID: 97.7

Housing

Metric

Oregon

Idaho

Advantage

Median Home Price

Approximate median single-family home sale price (2024 data).

OR: $480,000

ID: $420,000

Median 2BR Rent

HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.

OR: $1,450/mo

ID: $1,050/mo

Closing Costs

Typical closing costs as a percentage of home sale price.

OR: 2.40%

ID: 2.30%

Transfer Tax Rate

State/county transfer tax on real estate transactions.

OR: 0.00%

ID: 0.00%

Tie

Taxes

Metric

Oregon

Idaho

Advantage

Property Tax Rate

Effective median property tax rate on owner-occupied housing.

OR: 0.97%

ID: 0.69%

Top Income Tax Rate

Top marginal state income tax rate. States with no income tax show "None."

OR: 9.90%

ID: 5.80%

Sales Tax Rate

State-level sales tax rate (excludes local add-ons).

OR: 0.00%

ID: 6.00%

Capital Gains Tax Rate

State capital gains tax rate (0% = no separate capital gains tax).

OR: 9.90%

ID: 5.80%

Income & Employment

Metric

Oregon

Idaho

Advantage

Median Household Income

Annual median household income from Census Bureau ACS.

OR: $70,084

ID: $63,377

Minimum Wage

State minimum wage for non-tipped employees.

OR: $14.70/hr

ID: $7.25/hr

Max Unemployment Benefit

Maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit.

OR: $648/wk

ID: $448/wk

Business

Metric

Oregon

Idaho

Advantage

LLC Filing Fee

Initial state filing fee to form an LLC.

OR: $100

ID: $100

Tie

LLC Annual Fee

Annual LLC report or franchise fee.

OR: $100

ID: $0

Insurance & Living

Metric

Oregon

Idaho

Advantage

Avg Car Insurance

Average annual full-coverage car insurance premium.

OR: $1,620/yr

ID: $1,310/yr

Avg Home Insurance

Average annual homeowners insurance premium.

OR: $1,200/yr

ID: $1,380/yr

Key Takeaways

1

Idaho leads in 9 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.
2

Housing: Median home prices are $480,000 in Oregon vs $420,000 in Idaho — a $60,000 difference.
3

Taxes: Oregon has a 9.9% top income tax rate while Idaho has a 5.8% top rate. Property tax rates are 0.97% vs 0.69%.
4

Cost of Living: Oregon's index is 113.1 and Idaho's is 97.7 (national average = 100).

Run the Numbers

Use our free calculators with real Oregon and Idaho data to model your specific scenario.

Oregon Property Tax Calculator Idaho Property Tax Calculator Oregon Paycheck Calculator Idaho Paycheck Calculator Oregon Cost of Living Calculator Idaho Cost of Living Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oregon or Idaho more affordable?

Idaho has a lower cost of living index (97.7) compared to Oregon (113.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Oregon or Idaho?

Overall, Oregon has a lower combined tax burden. Oregon has a 9.9% top income tax, 0% sales tax, and 0.97% property tax. Idaho has a 5.8% top income tax, 6% sales tax, and 0.69% property tax.

What are housing costs in Oregon vs Idaho?

The median home price in Oregon is $480,000 compared to $420,000 in Idaho. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $1,450/month in Oregon vs $1,050/month in Idaho.

Which state is better for starting a business — Oregon or Idaho?

LLC filing costs are $100 in Oregon vs $100 in Idaho, with annual fees of $100 and $0 respectively. Oregon's 9.9% top tax rate compared to Idaho's 5.8% rate may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Oregon to Idaho?

It depends on your priorities. Idaho wins in 9 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

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Related Comparisons

California vs Oregon California vs Idaho Utah vs Idaho Oregon vs Washington Washington vs Idaho Montana vs Idaho

Comparing Oregon and Idaho

When deciding between living in Oregon or Idaho, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

Oregon (OR) has a median household income of $70,084 with a cost of living index of 113.1. Idaho (ID) has a median household income of $63,377 with a cost of living index of 97.7.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Oregon calculator or Idaho calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.