New York to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 2,487 mile interstate move from New York to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in New York vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Bagel vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (art deco, modern vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New York), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Bagel and Pastrami on Rye, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Idaho Trout
- Idaho housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in New York
- Rent in Idaho is 35.35% more affordable than in New York
- Moving from New York to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended New York to Idaho movers is JP Urban Moving
New York to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New York to Idaho
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Noise pollution
- Overcrowded areas
- Affordable housing
- Less traffic
- Quieter lifestyle
- Open spaces
- Lesser diversity
- Fewer dining options
- Limited public transit
- Slower-paced lifestyle
- Cultural diversity
- Renowned restaurants
- Convenient public transport
- Vibrant city life
Pros of moving from New York to Idaho
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Idaho with less traffic
- Swap the noise pollution of New York for a quieter lifestyle in Idaho
- Get ready for open spaces in Idaho
Cons of moving from New York to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in New York to live with lesser diversity in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of renowned restaurants and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
- Time to bid farewell to convenient public transport and get used to limited public transit in Idaho
- Swap vibrant city life for a slower-paced lifestyle
New York vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New York | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Bagel | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Pastrami on Rye | Idaho Trout |
Most popular street food item | Pizza | Finger Steaks |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Potato-based dishes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from New York to Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Bagel of New York for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in New York rave about their flavorful Pastrami on Rye and sumptuous Pizza, Idaho residents know they have tasty Idaho Trout and Finger Steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Potato-based dishes of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New York eateries like Katz's Delicatessen, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and Per Se. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, State & Lemp, and Chandler's.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New York. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in New York. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New York and Idaho
Comparison | New York | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Art Deco, Modern | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to subway, skyline views | Outdoor space, mountain views |
- The Art Deco and Modern architecture that New York is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to New York's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to subway and skyline views, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor space and mountain views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than New York.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than New York.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than New York.
- Idaho housing costs are 2% less expensive than they are in New York, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to New Yorkβs $460,812.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased 69% compared to a 36% increase in New York.
- Rent in Idaho is 35.35% more affordable than in New York.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New York and Idaho
Comparison | New York | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Blizzards | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Variable | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 26Β°F | 34Β°F / 19Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 49.9 | 18.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 25.8 | 38.1 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New York to Idaho. Idaho gets 6% fewer sunshine days than New York.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New York.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in New York, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 3 degrees warmer than in New York.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in New York.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 31 fewer inches of rain compared to New York.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New York and Idaho
Comparison | New York | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $79,557 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.8 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 6.85% | 6.93% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 0.74% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Media, Technology | Agriculture, Technology, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 9% less than in New York
- The COLI in Idaho will be 11% lower than what you are used to living in New York
- The state income tax in ID is 6.93% compared to 6.85% in NY
- The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to high in New York
- The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate in New York
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in New York and low in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in New York vs. Idaho
Comparison | New York | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive | Conservative |
Religion | Diverse religious landscape | Predominantly Christian |
- New York tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian
- New York's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a diverse religious landscape
Education Guide When Moving from New York to Idaho
Comparison | New York | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | New York University Cornell University University at Buffalo | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Success Academy Charter (Bronx) Basis Independent Brooklyn (Brooklyn) NEST+m (Manhattan) | Longfellow Elementary (Boise) White Pine Elementary (Boise) Anser Charter School (Garden City) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Basis Independent Brooklyn (Brooklyn) East Side Middle School (Manhattan) NEST+m (Manhattan) | North Star Charter (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Stuyvesant High School (Manhattan) Bronx High School of Science (Bronx) Brooklyn Technical High School (Brooklyn) | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene High School (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private high schools | Trinity School (Manhattan) Horace Mann School (Bronx) Regis High School (Manhattan) | Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Horace Mann School (Bronx) The Hackley School (Tarrytown) The Chapin School (Manhattan) | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Riverstone International School (Boise) North Idaho Christian School (Hayden) |
Top 3 School Districts | Great Neck School District Jericho Union Free School District Scarsdale Union Free School District | Boise School District Blaine County School District Coeur d'Alene School District |
How Much Do New York to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,487 miles from New York to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Magical Moving & Storage
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,612 | 300 ft3 | $8.71 |
1 Bedroom | $3,896 | 450 ft3 | $8.66 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,456 | 750 ft3 | $8.61 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,414 | 1100 ft3 | $8.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,613 | 1600 ft3 | $8.51 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,225 | 1800 ft3 | $8.46 |
Top New York to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New York to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.