Timber and stone exterior of the Terrace Lakes Cabin among pines, Garden Valley, Idaho

RELOCATION · WASHINGTON TO IDAHO

Moving to Boise from Washington

Drier weather, lower home values and one tax trade-off worth knowing before you move.

Moving to Boise from Washington trades wet winters for a dry, sunny high desert and lower home values: Idaho's median home value is $418,600 against Washington's $564,600. The trade-off is taxes. Washington has no tax on wages, while Idaho has a flat 5.3% income tax. We build custom homes for Washington families across the Treasure Valley.

Idaho income tax: 5.3% flat
Washington wage income tax: None
Median home value, Idaho: $418,600
Median home value, Washington: $564,600

THE NUMBERS

Washington vs Idaho: the tax trade-off

About 1,270 people a month in Washington search for a move to the Treasure Valley, second only to California. Washington families should run the tax math carefully, because it does not favor Idaho on every line. Washington has no individual income tax on wages. It does tax long-term capital gains: 7% on gains up to $1 million and 9.9% above that, starting with tax year 2025. Idaho taxes income at one flat rate of 5.3%.

The bigger number for most families is the house. The Census Bureau's median value for owner-occupied homes is $564,600 in Washington and $418,600 in Idaho (2020 to 2024). Idaho also exempts 50% of the value of your primary home, up to $125,000, from property tax through the homeowner's exemption. Our 2026 cost guide shows what a custom home here costs to build.

Washington and Idaho compared (sources below, as of 2026)
	Washington	Idaho
Tax on wages	None	5.3% flat
Long-term capital gains	7%, or 9.9% above $1 million	Taxed as income
Median owner-occupied home value (ACS 2020-2024)	$564,600	$418,600

02 / CLIMATE

From the gray season
to high desert sun.

If you are coming from west of the Cascades, the biggest change is how dry it is. The National Weather Service says Boise gets just over 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year, mostly between November and May, with abundant sunshine and light winds from spring into early fall. Snowfall at the airport averages around 20 inches. Families from Spokane or the Tri-Cities will find the climate more familiar.

Dry air changes how a house is built and lived in: covered patios get used for more of the year, and insulation and heating do more work than moisture control. Our standard specification includes 2x6 exterior walls, R-38 attic insulation, a conditioned crawl space and a 92% efficient gas furnace.

03 / MOUNTAINS STILL INCLUDED

Keep the mountains,
lose the traffic.

If you are worried about giving up the outdoors, you will not. Bogus Basin sits above Boise for skiing and summer trails, and the Boise River Greenbelt runs through the valley. We also keep an office in Garden Valley and have built mountain homes and cabins in South Fork Landing and Northridge at Terrace Lakes, so a Treasure Valley home and a weekend cabin can come from the same builder.

In the valley, the choice usually comes down to Boise for city life, Meridian for newer neighborhoods, or Eagle for foothill and waterfront lots. See the Boise vs Meridian vs Eagle vs Star comparison for population, home value and commute figures.

04 / THE MOVE

How a Washington
family builds here.

A typical build takes 6 to 8 months once construction starts. Most planning happens by phone and email, then you plan a trip for interior design appointments (about 2 to 3 days) and, if you want, walkthroughs after framing. The full sequence is on building in Idaho from out of state, and the relocation guide collects the planning checklists in one download.

05 / FROM A CLIENT

What it feels like to
build from another state.

One client summed up the out-of-state build better than we could.

“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 Washington?

Housing usually is. The Census median home value is $418,600 in Idaho against $564,600 in Washington. Taxes depend on your income: Washington has no wage income tax, while Idaho charges a flat 5.3%. Run both numbers with your own income and home budget before deciding.

Does Idaho have a state income tax?

Yes. Idaho has one flat individual income tax rate of 5.3%, effective January 1, 2025, according to the Idaho State Tax Commission. Washington residents moving to Idaho should plan for it, and also for Idaho's 6% state sales tax on most retail purchases.

Is Boise drier than western Washington?

Much drier. The National Weather Service describes the Treasure Valley as high desert, with just over 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year, most of it from November to May. Spring through early fall brings long stretches of sunshine and light winds.

Can you build a mountain cabin as well as a valley home?

Yes. We have an office in Garden Valley and have built homes and cabins in South Fork Landing and Northridge at Terrace Lakes. Tell us about both projects on a call and we will talk through timing, lots and plans for each.

How do I start building from Washington?

Call Bob and Lisa at 208-577-8794 or use our contact page. We will cover budget, timing, lots and plans first, then plan which steps happen remotely and when a trip to Idaho is worth it.

Moving from another state

Sources

9 references, all public

Moving to Boise from Washington

Washington vs Idaho: the tax trade-off

From the gray seasonto high desert sun.

Keep the mountains,lose the traffic.

How a Washingtonfamily builds here.

What it feels like tobuild from another state.

Find your cornerof Idaho.

Frequently askedquestions.