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
1. Burley
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Burley | 12.7% | 16 | 137 | 0 | $128,100 |
| Jerome | 11.6% | 42 | 157 | 1 | $128,800 |
| Blackfoot | 12.7% | 42 | 253 | 2 | $136,700 |
| Mountain Home | 12.0% | 54 | 229 | 0 | $144,200 |
| Pocatello | 13.2% | 253 | 1,440 | 2 | $148,200 |
| Caldwell | 10.7% | 203 | 997 | 5 | $152,400 |
| Twin Falls | 13.8% | 201 | 1,034 | 0 | $162,000 |
| Idaho Falls | 13.7% | 172 | 940 | 3 | $164,500 |
| Nampa | 13.0% | 306 | 1,767 | 6 | $167,200 |
| Chubbuck | 11.9% | 47 | 584 | 2 | $176,300 |
| Lewiston | 19.0% | 42 | 955 | 1 | $189,400 |
| Ammon | 11.7% | 35 | 198 | 3 | $199,400 |
| Kuna | 6.7% | 53 | 117 | 6 | $207,700 |
| Rexburg | 5.3% | 6 | 121 | 1 | $211,700 |
| Post Falls | 13.6% | 68 | 585 | 6 | $218,100 |
| Moscow | 9.9% | 7 | 345 | 1 | $229,900 |
| Coeur d’Alene | 16.9% | 132 | 712 | 3 | $234,900 |
| Garden City | 24.9% | 53 | 268 | 6 | $238,100 |
| Boise | 13.9% | 649 | 3,653 | 6 | $253,400 |
| Hayden | 24.4% | 42 | 225 | 3 | $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.
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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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