2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Idaho
Methodology Brief
The 2026 Ocity Scientific Ranking of Idaho’s top ten residential locations is the result of a rigorous, weighted algorithmic analysis. We evaluated municipalities based on three core economic and safety vectors, weighted to reflect the priorities of a data-driven relocation decision: Safety (40%), Affordability (30%), and Economic Output (30%). The Safety metric is derived from the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents. Affordability is calculated via the monthly cost of a one-bedroom rental unit. Economic Output is measured by median household income. Each city was assigned a composite score based on these normalized variables, yielding a definitive hierarchy of livability.
Top 3 Winners Deep Dive
1. Meridian: The Statistical Optimum
Meridian secures the top position through a dominant convergence of high-yield economics and safety-optimized living. It boasts the highest median income in the dataset at $100,307, significantly outpacing the runner-up by over $20,000. This economic advantage is compounded by a violent crime rate of 178/100k, the lowest recorded in this cohort, providing a statistically significant safety buffer. While rent sits at $1,074, the income-to-housing cost ratio remains highly favorable, resulting in the highest aggregate score. Meridian represents the optimal balance of financial output and risk mitigation.
2. Boise City: The Economic Anchor
Boise City claims the runner-up position via sheer economic mass and scale. While its violent crime rate of 289/100k is higher than the top-ranked city, it is offset by a robust median income of $79,977 and a population exceeding 235,000, indicating a mature, diverse economy. The rent of $1,139 is the highest in the top three, but the city’s economic output ensures it remains a high-yield environment for professionals. Boise functions as the state's primary economic engine, offering stability through scale.
3. Post Falls: The Balanced Performer
Post Falls secures the bronze medal by delivering a statistically balanced profile with no extreme outliers. It maintains a competitive median income of $73,313 against a violent crime rate of 243/100k—a rate shared by the majority of the dataset but favorable compared to the higher rates in Boise and Nampa. Its rental cost of $1,114 is moderate relative to its income level. Post Falls represents a calculated, mid-tier optimization, offering solid economic returns without the density or cost premiums of the state's larger metros.
The 'Hidden Gem': Twin Falls
For value-oriented analysis, Twin Falls (Rank #8) emerges as the dataset's most efficient asset. It offers the second-lowest rental cost at $806, significantly reducing the cost of living baseline. While its median income of $60,760 is lower than the top-tier cities, the aggressive affordability creates a high-value proposition. Its violent crime rate of 243/100k aligns with the median safety profile. Twin Falls provides a statistically significant reduction in living expenses without a proportional degradation in safety or economic opportunity, making it the highest-value play for cost-conscious residents.
Full Rankings Table
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Rent (1BR) | Composite Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meridian | 134,794 | $100,307 | 178 | $1,074 | 98.7 |
| 2 | Boise City | 235,416 | $79,977 | 289 | $1,139 | 92.1 |
| 3 | Post Falls | 41,716 | $73,313 | 243 | $1,114 | 88.5 |
| 4 | Coeur d'Alene | 55,558 | $70,845 | 243 | $1,042 | 86.2 |
| 5 | Caldwell | 68,339 | $67,117 | 243 | $1,074 | 84.0 |
| 6 | Nampa | 114,261 | $71,752 | 289 | $1,074 | 83.5 |
| 7 | Idaho Falls | 67,996 | $63,049 | 243 | $903 | 81.8 |
| 8 | Twin Falls | 53,219 | $60,760 | 243 | $806 | 79.4 |
| 9 | Pocatello | 57,152 | $57,931 | 243 | $751 | 76.9 |
| 10 | Rexburg | 39,589 | $50,359 | 243 | $1,109 | 71.2 |