Great room with stone fireplace, vaulted wood ceiling and chandelier in The Cody, Nampa, Idaho

RELOCATION · TEXAS TO IDAHO

Moving to Boise from Texas

Four seasons, dry summers and a different tax mix than you are used to.

Moving to Boise from Texas means trading humid heat for dry summers and real winters, and trading no state income tax for Idaho's flat 5.3%. Homes cost more here: Idaho's median home value is $418,600 against $283,800 in Texas. Idaho's homeowner's exemption softens property tax. We build custom homes for Texas families across the Treasure Valley.

Idaho income tax: 5.3% flat
Texas income tax: None
Median home value, Idaho: $418,600
Median home value, Texas: $283,800

THE NUMBERS

Texas vs Idaho: income tax, property tax and prices

About 860 people a month in Texas search for a move to the Treasure Valley, and we want them to arrive with clear eyes. Texas has no personal income tax and no state property tax; local taxing units set property tax, and the Texas Comptroller reports that Texas ranked sixth-highest for effective residential property tax rate in 2020. Idaho has a flat 5.3% income tax and exempts 50% of the value of your primary home, up to $125,000, from property tax.

Home values run the other way. The Census median value of an owner-occupied home is $283,800 in Texas, $418,600 in Idaho and $484,800 in Boise (2020 to 2024). The case for Boise over Texas is climate, mountains and pace, not a cheaper house, and our 2026 cost guide shows what building here costs.

Texas and Idaho compared (sources below, as of 2026)
	Texas	Idaho
State income tax	None	5.3% flat
Property tax	Local only; no state property tax	Local; homeowner's exemption of 50% up to $125,000
Median owner-occupied home value (ACS 2020-2024)	$283,800	$418,600 (Boise $484,800)

02 / CLIMATE

Dry heat, cool nights
and a real winter.

Boise summers are hot, but the air is dry. The National Weather Service explains that the high desert heats quickly by day and cools quickly at night because of the dry air and elevation. Winters are colder than most of Texas: snowfall at the airport averages around 20 inches a year, and most precipitation falls from November to May.

Building for that climate is one of the first conversations we have with Texas clients. Our standard specification calls for a conditioned crawl space, 2x6 exterior walls, R-38 attic insulation and a 92% efficient gas furnace, plus a 36 inch fireplace you will actually use.

03 / SPACE

Room for the truck,
the trailer and the shop.

If you are used to Texas-sized lots, the Treasure Valley still has room. Most of our plans include an RV bay, and we build large residential shops. In Nampa, Lone Star Ranch offers country-setting homesites near Lake Lowell and Idaho wine country, where we built The Cody, Best Overall at the 2026 Snake River Valley Parade of Homes.

If you want to be closer to the city, compare Boise, Meridian and Eagle on our Boise vs Meridian vs Eagle vs Star page, which lists Census population, home value and commute figures.

04 / THE MOVE

Building from Texas,
step by step.

A custom home here typically takes 6 to 8 months once construction starts. Most of the decisions before that happen by phone and email. We recommend one trip for interior design appointments, which take about 2 to 3 days, and an optional walkthrough after framing. The full process is on building in Idaho from out of state, and the relocation guide puts the checklists in one place.

05 / FROM A CLIENT

Trusting a builder
from far away.

Out-of-state clients tell us the hardest part is not being able to drive by the site. Here is how one of them put it.

“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.

Does Idaho have a state income tax?

Yes. Idaho taxes individual income at one flat rate of 5.3%, effective January 1, 2025. Texas has no personal income tax, so this is a new line in most Texas households' budgets. Idaho also has a 6% state sales tax.

Are property taxes lower in Idaho than in Texas?

It depends on the county and the home, so ask the county assessor for a specific lot. The Texas Comptroller reports Texas ranked sixth-highest for effective residential property tax rate in 2020. In Idaho, the homeowner's exemption removes 50% of your primary home's value, up to $125,000, from taxable value.

Are homes more expensive in Boise than in Texas?

Generally, yes. The Census Bureau's median value of an owner-occupied home is $484,800 in Boise and $418,600 statewide in Idaho, compared with $283,800 in Texas, for 2020 to 2024. A custom home budget depends on the lot, size and finishes.

How cold are Boise winters?

Colder than most of Texas, but manageable. The National Weather Service says snowfall at the Boise airport averages around 20 inches a year, and the dry air brings quick nighttime cooling. Homes here are built with heavier insulation and gas furnaces for that reason.

Can I build a home with an RV bay or a shop?

Yes. Most of our floor plans include an RV bay, and we build large residential shops. Lot rules vary by community and city, so zoning and covenants for your lot are checked before the plan is final. Call 208-577-8794 or use our contact page.

Moving from another state

Sources

8 references, all public

Moving to Boise from Texas

Texas vs Idaho: income tax, property tax and prices

Dry heat, cool nightsand a real winter.

Room for the truck,the trailer and the shop.

Building from Texas,step by step.

Trusting a builderfrom far away.

Find your cornerof Idaho.

Frequently askedquestions.