Cost of Living in Gem County, Idaho
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Gem County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Gem County ranks #2,132 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 32%)
Sourced county brief
Gem County Median Home Value Estimated at $428,700
The median value of owner-occupied housing units in Gem County, Idaho, is estimated at $428,700 for the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year period. This home value is above the Idaho unweighted county mean of $355,261. Regarding rental costs, the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI), based on ACS table B25071, is 26.2%. This is 0.7 percentage points lower than the Idaho unweighted county mean of 26.9%. The median gross rent in the county was recorded at $1,038 per month, compared to the unweighted state mean of $968. For homeowners, the median selected monthly owner costs for all units is $929, below the unweighted county mean of $968. The median renter-household income was recorded at $56,111. All data is reported from the 2020-2024 ACS estimates and does not provide relocation advice. See ACS table B25077 for the underlying median home value estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Gem County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 26.2% of renter household income in Gem County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,038 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $929. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $41,520 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Idaho unweighted mean of county median rents is $968 per month. Gem County's $1,038 median is 7.2% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Gem County
Rent Burden
19.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,507
per month
Owner Cost Burden
17.3%
of gross income
The median home in Gem County may be a stretch
Median home value is $428,700. Estimated monthly cost: $3,422 vs. your max of $1,507.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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