The 13 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Idaho

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 36 towns of 500–10,000 people in Idaho. #1 is Buhl, ID.

1. 13Rathdrum, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 63% of Idaho towns

   Rathdrum is a city of 9,211 people in Kootenai County, Idaho. It also ranks more walkable than 74% of Idaho towns and better for a vacation home than 74% of Idaho towns.

   9,211 people · Kootenai County · median home $444,100 · income $86,563 · Jan low 26°F · 27 in snow

   Full Rathdrum, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 12Preston, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 64% of Idaho towns

   Preston is a city of 5,591 people in Franklin County, Idaho. It also ranks better for families than 83% of Idaho towns and easier by car than 77% of Idaho towns.

   5,591 people · Franklin County · median home $350,300 · income $61,039 · Jan low 15°F · 52 in snow

   Full Preston, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 11Emmett, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 64% of Idaho towns

   Emmett is a city of 7,647 people in Gem County, Idaho. It also ranks more walkable than 85% of Idaho towns and hipper than 85% of Idaho towns.

   7,647 people · Gem County · median home $342,000 · income $58,750 · Jan low 23°F · 7 in snow

   Full Emmett, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 10Montpelier, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 72% of Idaho towns

   Montpelier is a city of 2,643 people in Bear Lake County, Idaho. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 86% of Idaho towns and hipper than 72% of Idaho towns.

   2,643 people · Bear Lake County · median home $240,300 · income $61,375 · Jan low 7°F · 91 in snow

   Full Montpelier, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 9Weiser, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 75% of Idaho towns

   Weiser is a city of 5,630 people in Washington County, Idaho. It also ranks better for cycling than 94% of Idaho towns and better for retirees than 88% of Idaho towns.

   5,630 people · Washington County · median home $223,400 · income $45,292 · Jan low 23°F · 15 in snow

   Full Weiser, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 8Fort Hall, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 76% of Idaho towns

   Fort Hall is a community of 3,195 people in Bannock County, Idaho. It also ranks hipper than 83% of Idaho towns and quieter than 71% of Idaho towns.

   3,195 people · Bannock County · median home $203,300 · income $44,514 · Jan low 15°F · 28 in snow

   Full Fort Hall, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 7Gooding, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 79% of Idaho towns

   Gooding is a city of 3,707 people in Gooding County, Idaho. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of Idaho towns and more vibrant than 93% of Idaho towns.

   3,707 people · Gooding County · median home $186,100 · income $41,899 · Jan low 22°F

   Full Gooding, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 6Grangeville, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 82% of Idaho towns

   Grangeville is a city of 3,308 people in Idaho County, Idaho. It also ranks better for retirees than 98% of Idaho towns and quieter than 76% of Idaho towns.

   3,308 people · Idaho County · median home $293,300 · income $61,322 · Jan low 25°F · 39 in snow

   Full Grangeville, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 5Middleton, Idaho

   Better for first-time buyers than 82% of Idaho towns

   Middleton is a city of 9,425 people in Canyon County, Idaho. It also ranks easier by car than 91% of Idaho towns and more vibrant than 81% of Idaho towns.

   9,425 people · Canyon County · median home $403,100 · income $89,013 · Jan low 23°F · 10 in snow

   Full Middleton, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 4Payette, Idaho

    Better for first-time buyers than 84% of Idaho towns

    Payette is a city of 8,127 people in Payette County, Idaho. It also ranks easier by car than 81% of Idaho towns.

    8,127 people · Payette County · median home $276,500 · income $55,208 · Jan low 24°F · 15 in snow

    Full Payette, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 3Fruitland, Idaho

    Better for first-time buyers than 88% of Idaho towns

    Fruitland is a city of 6,072 people in Payette County, Idaho. It also ranks hipper than 94% of Idaho towns and easier by car than 93% of Idaho towns.

    6,072 people · Payette County · median home $329,600 · income $65,457 · Jan low 23°F · 15 in snow

    Full Fruitland, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 2Rigby, Idaho

    Better for first-time buyers than 91% of Idaho towns

    Rigby is a city of 5,038 people in Jefferson County, Idaho. It also ranks better transit than 100% of Idaho towns and more walkable than 92% of Idaho towns.

    5,038 people · Jefferson County · median home $336,200 · income $85,056 · Jan low 15°F · 66 in snow

    Full Rigby, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 1Buhl, Idaho

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of Idaho towns

    Buhl is a city of 4,558 people in Twin Falls County, Idaho. It also ranks hipper than 98% of Idaho towns and more walkable than 93% of Idaho towns.

    4,558 people · Twin Falls County · median home $247,500 · income $55,568 · Jan low 22°F · 24 in snow

    Full Buhl, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More Idaho rankings

• The 15 Best Small Towns to Retire in Idaho
• The 11 Quietest Small Towns in Idaho
• The 12 Most Affordable Small Towns in Idaho
• The 12 Best Small Towns for Families in Idaho
• 15 Small Towns in Idaho With the Cheapest Homes
• 12 Small Towns in Idaho With the Mildest Winters
• The 18 Most Walkable Small Towns in Idaho

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