The Cody at dusk with lit stone exterior and landscaped lawn, Lone Star Ranch, Nampa, Idaho

RELOCATION · CALIFORNIA TO IDAHO

Moving to Boise from California

Taxes, home values, weather and a realistic plan for building here while you still live there.

Moving to Boise from California usually means a smaller state income tax bill and more home for the money. Idaho taxes income at a flat 5.3%, while California's brackets reach 12.3%, and Idaho's median home value is about $316,000 below California's. We build custom homes across the Treasure Valley for families relocating from out of state.

Idaho income tax: 5.3% flat
California top bracket: 12.3% (2025 schedule)
Median home value, Idaho: $418,600
Median home value, California: $734,700

THE NUMBERS

California vs Idaho: taxes and home values

The two numbers that move the decision are income tax and home value. Idaho has one flat income tax rate of 5.3%, effective since January 1, 2025. California's 2025 rate schedule tops out at 12.3%, which starts at $742,953 of taxable income for single filers.

On housing, the Census Bureau puts the median value of an owner-occupied home in Idaho at $418,600 for 2020 to 2024, against $734,700 in California. Boise itself is higher than the state figure at $484,800, and Eagle higher again. Two honest caveats: Idaho charges a 6% state sales tax, and a median is not a custom home budget. Our 2026 cost guide breaks down what building here actually costs.

California and Idaho compared (sources below, as of 2026)
	California	Idaho
State income tax	1% to 12.3% brackets (2025)	5.3% flat
Median owner-occupied home value (ACS 2020-2024)	$734,700	$418,600 (Boise $484,800)
Homestead relief	Varies	50% of home value exempt, up to $125,000

02 / CLIMATE

Trading coastal weather for
the high desert.

Boise is high desert. The National Weather Service describes fast daytime heating and quick nighttime cooling, with just over 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year and snowfall of around 20 inches at the airport. Most of that falls between November and May. You get four real seasons, long sunny stretches from spring into fall, and summer evenings that cool off.

For a house, that means real heating and insulation matter. Our standard specification includes 2x6 exterior walls, R-38 attic and R-21 wall insulation, a conditioned crawl space and a 92% efficient gas furnace with air conditioning. Most of our plans also carry an RV bay for the boat, trailer or toys.

03 / LIFESTYLE

What daily life looks
like after the move.

The Boise River Greenbelt runs for miles through the valley, Bogus Basin is a short drive above Boise for skiing and summer trails, and Eagle Island State Park has a swimming beach and paddleboarding. Commutes are short by California standards: the Census mean travel time to work is 18.9 minutes in Boise and 23.7 in Eagle.

Where you land depends on what you want: city energy in Boise, newer neighborhoods and schools in Meridian, or foothill and waterfront lots in Eagle. Our Boise vs Meridian vs Eagle vs Star comparison puts the Census figures side by side.

04 / THE MOVE

Your move timeline
while we build.

A California move usually means juggling a home sale, a job and school calendars. The build gives you a defined window: our typical build time is 6 to 8 months once construction starts, depending on size, complexity, weather and materials. Read how building in Idaho from out of state works step by step, then use this outline to plan the California side. The relocation guide collects the same checklists in one download.

Before you list: set a budget with a lender's construction pre-approval and talk with us about lots and plans.
Design phase: finalize the floor plan and sign the build contract, much of it by phone and email.
During construction: plan one trip for interior design appointments (about 2 to 3 days) and, if you like, walkthroughs after framing.
Final month: final walkthrough, homeowner orientation and certificate of occupancy, then the moving truck.

05 / FROM A CLIENT

Building from another state,
in a client's words.

We know the worry of watching a house go up from hundreds of miles away. This is how one client described it after moving 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 California?

For most households, yes. Idaho's flat income tax is 5.3% while California's brackets reach 12.3%, and the Census median home value is $418,600 in Idaho against $734,700 in California. Idaho does charge a 6% sales tax, so compare your own income, spending and home budget.

Why are Californians moving to Idaho?

Every family has its own reasons, but the measurable ones are cost and taxes: lower median home values, a flat 5.3% income tax, and more land for the money. Four seasons, short commutes and outdoor access close to town are the lifestyle side of the same decision.

Can I build in Idaho before I sell my California home?

Yes. You can choose a lot, finalize a plan and start construction while you still live in California. Our typical build time is 6 to 8 months once construction starts, which gives you a defined window to sell. A lender can tell you how your current home affects construction financing.

Does Boise get a lot of snow?

Not much by mountain West standards. The National Weather Service says snowfall at the Boise airport averages around 20 inches a year, and the valley gets just over 11 inches of total precipitation. Bogus Basin, above the city, gets far more, which is why it works as a ski area.

How do I start building with Bachman Custom Homes from California?

Start with a conversation. Call Bob and Lisa at 208-577-8794 or send an inquiry through our contact page. We will talk through your budget, timing, lot options and plans, then map out which steps can happen remotely and when a trip to Idaho makes sense.

Moving from another state

Sources

10 references, all public

Moving to Boise from California

California vs Idaho: taxes and home values

Trading coastal weather forthe high desert.

What daily life lookslike after the move.

Your move timelinewhile we build.

Building from another state,in a client's words.

Find your cornerof Idaho.

Frequently askedquestions.