movers
Moving to the Treasure Valley: What It Costs to Get Here, Buy a Home, and Settle In Around Boise, ID
Moving to the Treasure Valley means planning for mover fees, Ada and Canyon County home prices, Idaho taxes, and setup costs. See approximate ranges for each.
In This Article
Moving to the Treasure Valley: What It Costs to Get Here, Buy a Home, and Settle In Around Boise, ID
The Treasure Valley stretches roughly 50 miles along Interstate 84, from Boise west through Meridian, Nampa, and Caldwell toward the Oregon line. Over the last decade it has drawn a steady stream of people from California, Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Most of them arrive with one big question: what will the move cost once you add everything up?
The answer has a few parts. There is the cost of the move itself, the price of housing in Ada and Canyon counties, and a list of setup costs that people often forget until they show up at the DMV. This guide walks through each one with approximate ranges so you can plan a realistic budget.
The Cost of the Move Itself
Distance is the biggest factor in what you pay a moving company. A move from the Portland or Salt Lake City area is a fairly short haul compared with one from Southern California or the Midwest. Home size and the time of year push the number up or down from there.
The ranges below are rough estimates for a full service move without professional packing. Adding professional packing can raise the total by roughly 20 to 40 percent.
| Moving From | Two Bedroom Home | Three to Four Bedroom Home |
|---|---|---|
| Within the Treasure Valley | $800 to $2,000 | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Salt Lake City or Spokane | $2,500 to $5,000 | $4,000 to $7,500 |
| Portland or Seattle | $3,000 to $6,000 | $4,500 to $8,500 |
| Sacramento or the Bay Area | $3,500 to $6,500 | $5,500 to $10,000 |
| Los Angeles or San Diego | $4,000 to $7,500 | $6,000 to $11,000 |
Do-it-yourself options can cut that total sharply. Renting a truck and driving it yourself from California often costs a few thousand dollars once you add fuel, lodging, and the rental. Portable containers usually land somewhere between a rental truck and a full service mover.
When to Schedule
Summer is the busiest season, and prices climb from late May through August. Boise also gets hot in July, with many days in the 90s and some above 100, which makes loading and unloading tiring. Late September and October usually bring easier booking, cooler weather, and slightly lower rates.
Winter moves are possible but come with risk. Snow on the Blue Mountains along I-84 in Oregon or on mountain passes coming from Utah and Nevada can delay trucks for a day or more.
What Housing Costs Around Boise
Housing prices in the Treasure Valley rose fast during the early 2020s and have since leveled off. As a rough guide, median home prices in Ada County have recently sat around the low to mid $500Ks, while Canyon County has run noticeably lower. The gap between the two counties is a big reason so many newcomers end up in Nampa or Caldwell.
Boise's North End, East End, and the foothills generally sit at the top of the local price range.
Eagle often runs higher still, especially for larger lots and newer custom homes. Meridian and Kuna offer a large supply of newer subdivisions at prices somewhat below Boise proper.
Canyon County cities like Nampa, Caldwell, and Middleton tend to offer the most house for the money. The tradeoff is the commute. Driving from Caldwell to downtown Boise can take 35 to 50 minutes during rush hour on I-84.
Renting First
Many movers rent for six months to a year before buying. Rent for a two or three bedroom place in Boise and Meridian typically runs roughly $1,600 to $2,400 a month, with lower numbers in Canyon County. Renting first gives you time to learn the commute patterns and decide which side of the valley fits your routine.
Security deposits and first month's rent can add $3,000 to $5,000 to your upfront costs. Plan for that if you will not be buying right away.
Taxes and Ongoing Costs
Idaho has a flat state income tax that has been cut in recent years and now sits in the mid 5 percent range. For people coming from California or Oregon, that is often a noticeable change. Washington transplants, who paid no state income tax, will see the opposite.
The state sales tax is 6 percent, and Idaho applies it to groceries. Residents can claim a grocery tax credit on their state return to offset part of that cost. Property taxes are moderate compared with many states, and owner-occupied homes can qualify for the homeowner's exemption, which reduces the taxable value of your primary residence.
Utility costs are a bright spot. Idaho Power rates have been lower than the national average, though summer air conditioning and winter heating still add up. Natural gas through Intermountain Gas heats most homes in the valley.
Water and Irrigation
Many Treasure Valley neighborhoods have pressurized irrigation for lawns and landscaping, supplied by canal systems that date back more than a century. Irrigation districts bill separately from city water, often as an annual or monthly fee. The water usually runs from mid-April into mid-October.
Ask about irrigation when you look at homes. A property with irrigation rights can keep a green yard for far less than one watering with city water all summer.
Setup Costs After You Arrive
The moving bill is only part of the total. A handful of one-time costs show up in the first few weeks, and they can add $1,000 or more for a household with two cars.
Idaho requires new residents to get an Idaho driver's license within 90 days of moving. Vehicles need to be titled and registered in Idaho, which you handle through the county assessor's motor vehicle office. Registration fees depend on the vehicle's age, and title transfer fees are modest.
Ada County and Canyon County each have their own vehicle emissions testing requirements for many vehicles. Check whether your car needs a test before you head to the DMV, since it saves a return trip.
Utility Deposits and Hookups
Utility companies may ask for a deposit if you have no local credit history with them. Expect to set up electricity with Idaho Power, gas with Intermountain Gas, water and trash through your city, and internet through one of several local providers. Hookup fees and deposits vary but often total a few hundred dollars.
Car insurance rates in Idaho are often lower than in California or Washington. Ask your insurer for an updated quote once you have a local address.
Budgeting for the Whole Move
Putting it together, a family moving a three bedroom home from California might plan roughly along these lines. These are approximate figures meant to give a sense of scale, not a quote.
- Professional movers: $6,000 to $11,000
- Travel, lodging, and meals on the drive: $500 to $1,500
- Rental deposit and first month, if renting: $3,000 to $5,000
- Vehicle titles, registration, and licenses: $300 to $800
- Utility deposits and setup: $200 to $600
- New furniture, window coverings, and household items: $1,000 to $5,000
Window coverings and yard tools catch a lot of people off guard. Many newer Treasure Valley homes are sold without blinds, and a yard with irrigation still needs a mower and some basic tools.
A cushion of 10 to 15 percent on top of your estimate is smart. Moving almost always costs more than the first spreadsheet suggests.
Tips for Lowering the Cost
Sell or donate what you do not need before getting quotes. Long distance moves are priced largely by weight, so every heavy dresser or box of old books you leave behind lowers the bill. Many movers will estimate your load by video, which makes comparing quotes faster.
Get at least three written estimates. Ask whether each one is binding or non-binding and what happens if your shipment weighs more than expected. Interstate movers should have a USDOT number you can look up before signing.
Flexible dates help too. Moving midweek or mid-month often costs less than a Friday at the end of the month.
For more relocation guides covering Idaho cities, check out our latest Treasure Valley articles. You can compare local and long distance crews in our Idaho moving company directory.
Treasure Valley Moving Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Nampa than Boise?
Housing in Nampa usually costs less than in Boise, often by a meaningful margin on similar size homes. Commuting to Boise adds fuel and time, so price out a daily drive on I-84 before deciding.
How long does a move from California to Boise take?
The drive from the Bay Area is roughly 9 to 10 hours, and from Los Angeles it is closer to 12 or 13. A moving company's delivery window can run anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Do I need to apply for the homeowner's exemption myself?
Yes. You apply through your county assessor's office after buying a primary residence, and missing the deadline means waiting another year for the reduced taxable value.
What surprises people most about moving to the Treasure Valley?
Many newcomers are surprised by the winter inversions that trap haze in the valley for days at a time. Others notice the extra cost of setting up pressurized irrigation and buying blinds for a new build.