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The 10 Best Places to Retire in Idaho

If you’re looking to retire in a state with mountains, rivers and other natural splendors, consider Idaho! The potato capital of the country has no shortage of welcoming cities and beautiful backdrops. NewHomeSource.com has found the top 10 places to retire in Idaho, making it easy to find the perfect retirement destination and new home for this next phase of your life.

 Top 10 Cities to Retire in Idaho

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1. Burley
2. Jerome
3. Blackfoot
4. Mountain Home
5. Pocatello
6. Caldwell
7. Twin Falls
8. Idaho Falls
9. Nampa
10. Chubbuck

1. Burley

trees on edge of river in Burley, Idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.7%

Median Home Value: $128,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 16

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 137

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 0

The best place to retire is none other than Burley! This southern Idaho city is split by the Snake River, and there’s no shortage of boating, water skiing and swimming you can enjoy. Athletic retirees can enjoy the Spudman Triathlon, which Burley hosts every summer. For indoor activities, try the Cassia County Historical Museum and King Fine Arts Center.

2. Jerome

lake in jerome, idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.6%

Median Home Value: $128,800

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 42

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 157

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 1

Jerome is a thriving community in the south-central region of Idaho. The streets are lined with restaurants, businesses and museums. Visit all the different parks, enjoy events at the Jerome Country Fairgrounds or buy fresh food at the farmers market.

3. Blackfoot

fall landscape in blackfoot, idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.7%

Median Home Value: $136,700

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 42

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 253

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2

If you love potatoes, Blackfoot is the place for you. Blackfoot and its surrounding area grow more potatoes than anywhere else in the world; the city has more than earned its nickname of “Potato Capital of the World.” When you’re not brushing up on your potato facts at the Idaho Potato Museum, you can enjoy the Eastern Idaho State Fair, hiking along the Snake River or catching a game at the baseball field.

4. Mountain Home

train passing through mountain home, idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12%

Median Home Value: $144,200

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 54

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 229

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 0

Always wanted a mountain home? Idaho’s very own Mountain Home is ready to welcome you! This rural community has all the urban amenities you’d desire, along a picturesque background of mountains and sand dunes. Mountain Home is big on community, and residents enjoy annual events like the Mountain Home Country Music Festival and the Endless Summer Festival.

5. Pocatello

farm in pocatello, idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.2%

Median Home Value: $148,200

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 269

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,440

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2

Located in southeast Idaho, Pocatello has a plethora of activities to enjoy! Museum fans will enjoy the Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Clean, and fans of the outdoors will love Zoo Idaho and the public golf courses. Downtown Pocatello is a thriving scene of restaurants, boutiques and historical sights.

6. Caldwell

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.7%

Median Home Value: $152,400

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 203

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 997

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 5

Caldwell is a beautiful, charming city to call home. With the Boise River to the north and Lake Lowell just outside the southern city limits, you can spend your days walking, hiking or just reclining by blue water. Caldwell is home to the College of Idaho and a campus of the College of Western Idaho, bringing college town liveliness to the atmosphere. From shopping to skydiving, the world is your oyster in Caldwell!

7. Twin Falls

perrinne bridge located in twin falls, idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.8%

Median Home Value: $162,000

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 201

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,034

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 0

Twin Falls is a city for nature lovers. The Snake River Canyon resides along the town’s northern boundary, so residents have beautiful natural sights and hiking opportunities right in their own backyard; be sure to check out Shoshone Falls, known as the “Niagara of the West.” In town, you can enjoy catching up with friends at the downtown breweries and shops, and visit the art exhibits on First Fridays.

8. Idaho Falls

waterfall located in idaho falls, idaho

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.7%

Median Home Value: $164,500

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 172

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 940

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3

Idaho Falls offers a wealth of arts and culture. With an art museum and galleries, live performance theaters and a history museum, there’s always something new to do and learn here. Encompassing part of the Snake River, Idaho Falls captures the beautiful parks, hiking trails and waterfalls that one would expect to find in this region.

9. Nampa

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13%

Median Home Value: $167,200

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 306

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,767

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6

Nampa is the third most-populous city in Idaho and a great place to settle into retirement. The city is known for the Ford Idaho Center, which hosts large events including one of the top rodeos in the nation. There’s plenty to enjoy just outside the city as well, including Lake Lowell and multiple wineries. Boise is a mere 20 miles to the east, making weekend trips to the capital a breeze.

10. Chubbuck

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.9%

Median Home Value: $176,300

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 47

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 584

Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 2

Chubbuck is a small city north of its sister city Pocatello. Folks here can enjoy a welcoming atmosphere and community events, including parades and city movie nights. With a dinner theater, wellness complex and a shopping mall, entertainment is never far away.

City NamePeople Over 65Violent CrimesProperty CrimesAccess to DoctorsMedian Home Price
Burley12.7%161370$128,100
Jerome11.6%421571$128,800
Blackfoot12.7%422532$136,700
Mountain Home12.0%542290$144,200
Pocatello13.2%2531,4402$148,200
Caldwell10.7%2039975$152,400
Twin Falls13.8%2011,0340$162,000
Idaho Falls13.7%1729403$164,500
Nampa13.0%3061,7676$167,200
Chubbuck11.9%475842$176,300
Lewiston19.0%429551$189,400
Ammon11.7%351983$199,400
Kuna6.7%531176$207,700
Rexburg5.3%61211$211,700
Post Falls13.6%685856$218,100
Moscow9.9%73451$229,900
Coeur d’Alene16.9%1327123$234,900
Garden City24.9%532686$238,100
Boise13.9%6493,6536$253,400
Hayden24.4%422253$256,100

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.

Other Idaho Resources

Best Tiny Home Builders in Idaho
10 Best State Parks in Idaho
How to Build a Home in Idaho
The Top 10 Most Affordable Cities in Idaho
20 Most Affordable States
Guide to Idaho Closing Costs
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Idaho
Best Suburbs Surrounding Boise, Idaho
Top 10 Safest Cities in Idaho
sarah-scott-photo
Sarah Scott

Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.

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