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Idaho

Moderate tax burden · COL index 96

Wins 8 categories

VS

Alaska

Low tax burden · COL index 126

Wins 4 categories

Alaska has no state income tax. Idaho's top rate is 5.8%. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 31% higher than Idaho (index 96). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Alaska averages 1.04% annually vs Idaho's 0.48%. The median home in Idaho costs $425K vs $340K in Alaska.

Idaho
Alaska

Taxes

5.8%
Income Tax (top rate)
None
0.48%/yr
Property Tax Rate
1.04%/yr
6.02%
Sales Tax (avg)
1.76%
Yes
Social Security Tax
Yes
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
As income
Capital Gains Tax
None

Housing & Cost of Living

96
COL Index (100=avg)
126
$425K
Median Home Price
$340K
$1,500/mo
Median Rent (2BR/mo)
$1,350/mo
$800/yr
Home Insurance (avg/yr)
$1K/yr

Crime & Safety

228
Violent Crime / 100K
838
1,535
Property Crime / 100K
2,544

Healthcare

#32 of 50
Healthcare Quality Rank
#48 of 50
77.7 yrs
Life Expectancy
75 yrs
9%
Uninsured Rate
12.1%
Yes
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#30 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#35 of 50
No
School Choice / Vouchers
No

Childcare

$960/mo
Avg Infant Care / mo
$1,380/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$105/mo
Avg Energy Bill / mo
$145/mo
$480/mo
Avg Groceries / mo
$780/mo
#20 of 50
Road Quality Rank
#35 of 50

Social Policy

F
Gun Laws Grade
F
R+30.0
2024 Presidential Margin
R+13.0

Category wins

8

Idaho

4

Alaska

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

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People Also Ask

Do you get $1000 for living in Alaska?

Yes. The Permanent Dividend Fund pays out after you relocate. How much do you get paid to live in Alaska? The amount varies by year, but for 2025, the payment was $1,000 (it's expected to be higher in 2026).

Why are Texans moving to Idaho?

Why are Texans moving to Idaho? Many Texas buyers relocate for cooler weather, a slower pace of life, stronger outdoor recreation access, and a market that feels less dominated by rapid metro growth.

Is Idaho Republican or Democrat?

Idaho has been a predominantly Republican state since statehood, with the Republican Party dominating in both state and national elections; abortion is severely restricted and the state retains the death penalty, including methods like the firing squad.

What I wish I knew before moving to Alaska?

And quiet. But at the same time isolating in a way and number three is you don't have easy access to anything again I live on an island off the coast of Alaska. So our groceries.

Full Idaho Profile →Full Alaska Profile →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked