Vaulted great room with tall windows and open kitchen in The Kimberly, Terra View, Eagle, Idaho

RELOCATION · ARIZONA TO IDAHO

Moving to Boise from Arizona

Fewer triple-digit days, four seasons and a higher income tax rate to plan for.

Moving to Boise from Arizona is mostly a climate decision. Phoenix averages about 111 days a year at 100°F or hotter, while Boise has four seasons and cool summer nights. Idaho costs a bit more on paper: a flat 5.3% income tax versus Arizona's 2.5%. We recently built for a family who lived in Arizona during their build.

Idaho income tax: 5.3% flat
Arizona income tax: 2.5% flat
Median home value, Idaho: $418,600
Median home value, Arizona: $394,500

RELOCATION · ARIZONA TO IDAHO

01 / CLIMATE

Leaving the triple-digit
summers behind.

The National Weather Service in Phoenix lists a 1991 to 2020 normal of about 111 days a year with a high of 100°F or more. Boise is high desert too, so summers are hot and dry, but the Weather Service notes that the dry air and elevation cool the valley quickly at night. Snowfall at the Boise airport averages around 20 inches a year, and most precipitation falls from November to May.

For many Arizona families that is the whole point: a real fall, a little snow, green summers along the river. It also changes the house. Our standard specification includes a 92% efficient gas furnace, a 36 inch fireplace, R-38 attic insulation and a conditioned crawl space.

THE NUMBERS

Arizona vs Idaho: taxes and home values

Arizona sends about 610 relocation searches a month our way. On taxes, Arizona has the edge: a flat 2.5% individual income tax since tax year 2023, compared with Idaho's flat 5.3%. Idaho's homeowner's exemption takes 50% of your primary home's value, up to $125,000, off the property tax rolls.

Home values are close at the state level: the Census median for owner-occupied homes is $394,500 in Arizona and $418,600 in Idaho (2020 to 2024). Boise ($484,800) and Eagle ($772,900) run higher. Our 2026 cost guide explains what drives the cost of a custom build here.

Arizona and Idaho compared (sources below, as of 2026)
	Arizona	Idaho
State income tax	2.5% flat	5.3% flat
Median owner-occupied home value (ACS 2020-2024)	$394,500	$418,600 (Boise $484,800)
Hot days	About 111 days at 100°F or more (Phoenix normal)	Hot, dry summers with fast nighttime cooling

03 / LIFESTYLE

Water, trees and room
to spread out.

Coming from Arizona, the first thing you notice is the water. The Boise River Greenbelt runs through the valley, Eagle Island State Park has a swimming beach and paddleboarding, and Lake Lowell sits near our Lone Star Ranch homesites in Nampa. In Eagle, Terra View offers waterfront lots on a pond with private beaches.

Compare neighborhoods in Boise, Meridian and Eagle, or read our Boise vs Meridian vs Eagle vs Star page for Census population, home values and commute times.

04 / THE MOVE

Building while you still
live in Arizona.

We recently finished a Nampa home for a family who was packing up their Arizona kitchen as we wrapped up. A typical build runs 6 to 8 months once construction starts. Planning happens by phone and email; then you plan a trip for interior design appointments (about 2 to 3 days) and, if you like, walkthroughs after framing. See the full sequence on building in Idaho from out of state and download the relocation guide.

The Destiny House by Bachman Custom Homes

05 / FROM A CLIENT

Building from out of state,
in a client's words.

This is from a client who built with us from another state and has since moved in.

“We were building from out of state and I was worried about not being here, but when you trust your builder, it makes it so much easier!!”
Nicole M., Google review

A PLACE TO BELONG

Find your corner
of Idaho.

Beautiful homesites. Extraordinary build opportunities.

Explore our communities ↗

QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Frequently asked
questions.

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho than Arizona?

Not on taxes. Arizona's flat income tax is 2.5% and Idaho's is 5.3%. State median home values are close, $394,500 in Arizona and $418,600 in Idaho per the Census Bureau. The case for Boise over Arizona is usually climate and lifestyle, not cost.

How hot does Boise get in the summer?

Boise summers are hot and dry, but not Phoenix hot. The National Weather Service describes a high desert pattern of fast daytime heating and quick nighttime cooling, so evenings are usually comfortable. Phoenix, by comparison, averages about 111 days a year at 100°F or more.

Does Boise get a lot of snow?

Some, not a lot. The National Weather Service says snowfall at the Boise airport averages around 20 inches a year, and total precipitation is just over 11 inches. Most of it falls between November and May. Bogus Basin above the city gets much more for skiing.

Can I build in Idaho while still living in Arizona?

Yes. We recently built for a family who lived in Arizona during construction. Plan on one trip for design appointments, about 2 to 3 days, plus optional walkthroughs after framing. Everything else can happen by phone and email. Call 208-577-8794 or use our contact page.

Moving from another state

Sources

9 references, all public

Moving to Boise from Arizona

Leaving the triple-digitsummers behind.

Arizona vs Idaho: taxes and home values

Water, trees and roomto spread out.

Building while you stilllive in Arizona.

Building from out of state,in a client's words.

Find your cornerof Idaho.

Frequently askedquestions.