California vs Idaho: taxes, cost of living, laws

California

Moderate tax burden · COL index 142

Wins 4 categories

Idaho

Moderate tax burden · COL index 96

Wins 10 categories

California's top income tax rate is 13.3% vs Idaho's 5.8%. Cost of living in California (index 142) runs 48% higher than Idaho (index 96). The median home in California costs $790K vs $425K in Idaho. Politically, Idaho voted Republican in 2024 (R+30.0) while California went Democratic (D+20.0).

California

Idaho

Taxes

13.3%

Income Tax (top rate)

5.8%

0.71%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.48%/yr

8.82%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.02%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

As income

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

142

COL Index (100=avg)

$790K

Median Home Price

$425K

$2,300/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,500/mo

$2K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$800/yr

Crime & Safety

499

Violent Crime / 100K

228

2,027

Property Crime / 100K

1,535

155

Sex Offenders / 100K

284

475

Homeless / 100K

137

Healthcare

#13 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#32 of 50

79.2 yrs

Life Expectancy

77.7 yrs

6.8%

Uninsured Rate

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#20 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#30 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$2,200/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$960/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$175/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$105/mo

$620/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$480/mo

#49 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#20 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

D+20.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+30.0

Category wins

California

Idaho

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