Cost of Living in Butte County, Idaho
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Butte County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Butte County, Idaho
Idaho's most affordable county overall
Butte County renters spend just 14.6% of income on rent—well below the national affordability target—though median income of $43,281 trails the national median by $31,474. This rural mountain county offers genuine affordability for those prioritizing low housing costs.
Butte leads Idaho's affordability rankings
At 14.6%, Butte's rent-to-income ratio beats Idaho's 16.8% average by over 2 percentage points, the best ratio in the state. Median rent of just $525 runs less than 60% of the state average, making Butte Idaho's undisputed housing bargain.
The region's rent rock bottom
Butte's $525 monthly rent dramatically undercuts every peer: Camas ($992), Bonneville ($1,054), and even lower-cost Boundary ($867). This isolated county's minimal housing supply keeps costs remarkably low—a genuine outlier in the state.
Trade wages for housing relief
Butte households earn $43,281 annually while paying just $525 rent or $594 ownership—the state's most favorable rent-to-income math. At 14.6% of income, renters enjoy cushion unmatched anywhere else in Idaho, though overall income is the state's lowest.
Butte County: affordability above all else
If housing cost is your absolute priority, Butte delivers—$525 rent and $594 owner costs are unbeatable in Idaho or regionally. Just understand the tradeoff: median incomes run significantly lower here, and job opportunities remain limited in this remote mountain setting.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Butte County
Rent Burden
14.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,010
per month
Owner Cost Burden
16.5%
of gross income
The median home in Butte County may be a stretch
Median home value is $195,800. Estimated monthly cost: $1,563 vs. your max of $1,010.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.