Your EZ Guide For Moving To Idaho Falls 

Do you dream of big-sky living out West but can’t give up the perks of a city? Maybe Idaho Falls, Idaho, is the right city for you. Learn about this Gem State star and what to expect if moving to Idaho Falls is in your future. 

About Idaho Falls

Did you know Idaho Falls is the state’s fourth-largest city? But at 67,000 residents, it’s more like a large town than a city! Its size makes it the right “in-between.” It feels relatively quiet, yet it’s large enough to support amenities like local restaurants or museums. 

Find Idaho Falls in Eastern Idaho, also known as the “Gateway to Yellowstone Park.” The modern city is the hub for the whole region. People come for excellent healthcare, higher education, and cultural fun. Still, the entire metro had slightly over 150,000 people calling it home in 2020. Its busiest season is the summer when more tourists travel through town on their way to Eastern Idaho’s attractions.

How did Idaho Falls come to be? In the latter 1800s, a toll bridge was built over the basalt gorge. It made it easier for gold miners and travelers seeking their fortune in the West to travel back and forth. It spurred the development of a town, especially once the Union Pacific Railroad built a line and station. Homesteaders came and set up farms around the Snake River Valley. Their fields helped Eastern Idaho become one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. 

World War II brought more change. The Atomic Energy Commission opened a nuclear reactor testing center outside Idaho Falls. This has become the Idaho National Laboratory, a major employer for the Idaho Falls region.

The Idaho Falls you see today is a thriving community. It has a minor league baseball team, many parks for recreation, and friendly neighbors. 

Idaho Falls Weather

Hopefully, you like winter and summer! Idaho Falls experiences all four seasons to their maximum. Winters may not be as wet as the mountains, but it can be cold and snowy. The average 36 inches of snow is enough to fuel winter sports. Summers are warm and sunny, with a hot mean maximum of 95.7F.  But those warm days are perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. Contrasting those two seasons, spring and fall bring beautiful foliage and mild temperatures.

Idaho Falls Cost of Living

Good news for your pocketbook: Idaho Falls residents spent 6% less than the national average on their living costs in 2024. Healthcare and housing cost slightly more, but locals saved on groceries, utilities, getting around town, and fun activities. 

Transportation costs typically run high because of Idaho’s wide open spaces. Living in a town this size means you don’t need to drive so far to reach your essential shops and activities. 

Idaho Falls Real Estate

The median Idaho Falls home was built around 1984. But you’re not locked into that 80s boxy style. The market has many home styles and years to choose from. If you’ve always wanted a historic farmstead, you’ll have that. Or a new construction home in an amenity-rich community? Those are underway, too.

The lower cost of housing here makes living in Idaho Falls affordable. In the last quarter of 2023, the median home price for all real estate transactions was $391,880. See current homes for sale in Idaho Falls. 

Prospective home buyers will find many great neighborhoods to live in Idaho Falls. For example, the Rose Nielson area has midcentury-styled homes built in the 1960s and 1970s. Meanwhile, Comore Loma’s orientation in the foothills brings beautiful views and lots up to 7.5 acres. Then you have the historic Numbered Streets, the first planned neighborhood in Idaho Falls. A local real estate agent can help you explore the many diverse communities if you move to Idaho Falls.

Another perk you may need to think about? The 2024 median property tax bill was $1,115. Living here shows how affordable Idaho property taxes can be.

Idaho Falls Education

For a small town, Idaho Falls is very educated. Most residents over 24 have done some college coursework. Over 20,000–or roughly a third– have a bachelor’s or higher degree.

But it’s not only the educated people. Locals care about access to quality learning. Idaho Falls delivers with three colleges. 

The College of Eastern Idaho offers affordable, two-year degrees and career training. It also has transferable general education credits for those pursuing four-year degrees.

At University Place, two public universities have centers. They provide degrees that take four years or more. The University of Idaho Falls Center has engineering and scientific programs in partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies.  Idaho State University supports undergraduate and graduate science, healthcare, business, and education studies. Go directly to the university websites to see the full list of programs of study.

Two school districts serve local families for public K-12 education. If you move to Idaho Falls, you’ll most likely land in District 91 (Idaho Falls). However, more outlying addresses could put you in District 93 (Bonneville Joint). Either way, expect an intimate educational experience, as both have 13,000 or fewer students enrolled. Between the two, Idaho Falls has only four high schools. 

Idaho Falls Job Market

For the fourth year running, the Milken Institute ranked Idaho Falls as the city with the best job and wage growth.

One advantage to living in Idaho Falls is the varied job market. Sometimes, small towns focus on a particular industry, but that’s not the case here. Many locals do work in education and healthcare. That’s expected with so many schools and the city acting as a regional healthcare hub.

However, Idaho Falls has many professional and scientific careers thanks to the Idaho National Laboratory. This global leader in clean energy research has long attracted scientific and technical talent. Retail is the third top-employing industry. Construction, manufacturing, and hospitality are also thriving industries.

And with an average commute time under 15 minutes, getting to work is easy. Imagine all the time saved not sitting in a car!

Things to Do From Idaho Falls

The Best of Outdoor Recreation

Visit Yellowstone National Park: Idaho Falls is close to Yellowstone National Park, one of the most famous wild spaces in the world. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Idaho Falls to the West Entrance of Yellowstone. As a local, explore its geothermal wonders, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery in all four seasons. Some say Yellowstone in the winter is more charming than the summer!

Explore Grand Teton National Park: South of Yellowstone, the Grand Teton National Park awes with its stunning mountain vistas and pristine lakes. It’s slightly over 2 hours from Idaho Falls to the park’s entrance.

Visit Craters of the Moon National Monument: Located about 90 minutes northwest of Idaho Falls, get lost in an otherworldly landscape of ancient lava flows, volcanic craters, and cinder cones. Visitors marvel at the park’s trails, caves, and scenic overlooks.

More outdoor activities: Natural beauty surrounds Idaho Falls. That’s one of the advantages of living here: the multiple ways to enjoy the great outdoors. So many parks and wild spaces are within a three-hour drive. Locals can choose any leisure activity they want: hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and boating. Nearby national forests are crisscrossed with miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. The Snake River and four other nearby rivers provide excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Speaking of four, there are also four lakes for summertime swimming. If all the activity leaves you feeling a little sore, soak in one of the two natural hot springs near Idaho Falls!

In-Town Attractions

Experience local culture: Idaho Falls has a great cultural scene. Peruse galleries in the historic downtown and venues like the Mountain America Center. Check out the ARTitorium on Broadway for interactive art experiences, or catch a performance at the Colonial Theater.

Idaho Falls Riverwalk: Enjoy five miles on both sides of the scenic Snake River. As part of the Snake River Greenbelt, the connected landscaped parks include beautiful views of Idaho Falls and the dam. It’s perfect for a stroll, bike ride, or picnic.

Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautphaus Park: This family-friendly zoo calls itself “the best little zoo in the West.” Its 300 animals come from around the world. See all the kids’ favorites: lions, tigers, bears, primates, and more. Like many zoos, it runs educational programs and special events.

Museum of Idaho: This history and science museum delves into the most remarkable things to come out of Idaho. See fossilized dinosaurs discovered in the Gem State, Native American artifacts, and pioneer history. Plus, a few extra exhibits teach families how the world around them works. Traveling exhibits keep a day at the MOI fresh and exciting. In 2024, it had an interactive rainforest gallery focusing on Idaho aviation.

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho: Creatives gather around this art museum, which seeks to be a place for all who seek self-expression. It features rotating contemporary art exhibitions, Idaho-focused galleries, and a full workshop calendar.

Idaho Falls Idaho Temple: This prominent landmark temple on the Idaho Falls skyline is hard to miss. As part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, non-members may not enter the temple. Still, the grounds are open to visitors seeking a peaceful atmosphere for reflection and taking pictures.

Colonial Theater: Built in 1919, this historic performing arts venue hosts concerts, plays, dance performances, and film screenings. The restored Art Deco-designed stage is one of the largest in Idaho.

Attend events and festivals

Idaho Falls knows how to throw a good event. The most well-known has to be the Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race. For over 30 years, the whimsical Duck Race has had people sponsor a rubber duck. The first one over the falls wins. Accompanying the big duck drop is a classic car show, boat racing, truck pull competitions, jump rope contests, and more. 

Another top event is the Independent Day Celebration. Over 200,000 people celebrate the nation’s birthday with a parade, street festival, and fireworks. The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration 4th of July fireworks show claims to be the largest one West of the Mississippi.

When the temperatures drop, the fun doesn’t stop. The LaBelle Ice Palace, north of town, is a winter sell-out event. Explore a maze of interesting ice formations, take a sleigh ride, and have the kids meet and greet winter characters. 

Living in Idaho Falls

Hopefully, you can see how moving to Idaho Falls can benefit you. Locals enjoy a good life surrounded by nature’s most beautiful scenery. It has a strong community and low living costs. There are many work and recreation options, providing you can have the best of two worlds.