Quick answer
Minnesota has lower average 1BR rent ($1,380/mo vs $1,380/mo). State income tax: Idaho (5.8%) vs Minnesota (Up to 9.85%) — on a $120K salary that's $4,860/year difference.
State Comparison · 2026
Idaho vs Minnesota
Side-by-side on state income tax, rent, home prices, climate, and top metros — with specific dollar numbers for every claim.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Idaho vs Minnesota at a Glance
| Metric | Idaho | Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR rent (major metros) | $1,380 ✓ | $1,380 |
| Avg median home price | $445K | $320K ✓ |
| Cheapest city | Boise ($1,380) ✓ | Minneapolis ($1,380) |
| Priciest city | Boise ($1,380) | Minneapolis ($1,380) |
| State income tax | 5.8% ✓ | Up to 9.85% |
| Avg walkability | 42/100 | 69/100 ✓ |
| Cities tracked | 1 | 1 |
✓ marks the lower or more favorable value. Averages use the major metros we track in each state.
State Income Tax: Real Savings
What the rate gap actually looks like in your paycheck. Lower rate: Idaho (5.8%).
Salary $80K
$3,240
/year saved in Idaho
Salary $120K
$4,860
/year saved in Idaho
Salary $200K
$8,100
/year saved in Idaho
Calculation uses the effective state rate difference × gross salary. Doesn't include property tax, sales tax, or federal impact.
Deep Dive: Each State
Idaho (ID)
Tax reality
Idaho has a 5.8% flat state income tax (moderate). Property tax is low (~0.6% effective). Sales tax 6%. No estate tax. Overall moderate tax burden.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Housing growth has outpaced wage growth. Long-time Idaho residents have been priced out of Boise proper.
- ✕Summer wildfire smoke affects air quality regularly — July through September can have multiple weeks of AQI 150-200+.
- ✕Idaho is deeply conservative politically, with some policy shifts (abortion, LGBTQ+, religion in schools) recently tightening. Boise specifically leans moderate; the rest of the state is more conservative.
Minnesota (MN)
Tax reality
Minnesota has a progressive state income tax topping at 9.85% for income over $185K. Property tax is moderate (~1.1% effective). No estate tax under $3M. Not a tax-friendly state for high earners, but quality-of-public-services reflects it.
Top cities (1 tracked)
Top drawbacks
- ✕Winters are the defining drawback. -10°F, -20°F wind chills, 4+ months of snow cover, and limited daylight. December sunset is at 4:30pm. This is not exaggerated.
- ✕State income tax is progressive and tops out at 9.85% — high relative to the Midwest average.
- ✕Summer is short but genuinely lovely — 75-85°F, humid but not oppressive, 15+ hours of daylight. The flip side is it lasts maybe 10 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idaho or Minnesota cheaper to live in?
Minnesota has lower average 1BR rent across major metros — $1,380/mo vs $1,380/mo in Idaho, a $0/mo difference. Home prices: Minnesota median is $320K vs $445K.
Idaho vs Minnesota: which has lower state income tax?
Idaho has lower state income tax (5.8%) vs Up to 9.85% in Minnesota. On an $80K salary that's $3,240/year in savings. On $200K, savings grow to $8,100/year.
Should I move from Idaho to Minnesota?
Idaho has a 5.8% flat state income tax (moderate). Property tax is low (~0.6% effective). Sales tax 6%. No estate tax. Overall moderate tax burden.
What are the best cities in Idaho vs Minnesota?
Idaho's largest metros include Boise. Minnesota's largest metros include Minneapolis. Cost of living varies significantly within each state — a Idaho suburb can be 40% cheaper than its flagship city, and vice versa.