Cost of Living in Kootenai 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 Kootenai County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Kootenai County ranks #2,812 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 11%)
Sourced county brief
Kootenai County median gross rent estimated at $1,492 per month
Kootenai County reported a median gross rent of $1,492 per month, which is $524 above the Idaho unweighted county mean of $968. The median home value in the county was estimated at $518,700, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $355,261. For renter-occupied units, the median renter-household income was $56,047. The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 31.3% according to ACS table B25071. This official GRAPI is 4.4 percentage points higher than the Idaho unweighted county mean of 26.9%. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,350, which is $382 above the state unweighted county mean of $968. These figures represent a snapshot from 2020-2024. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying 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: Kootenai County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.3% of renter household income in Kootenai County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,492 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,350. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $59,680 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. Kootenai County's $1,492 median is 54.1% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Kootenai County
Rent Burden
21.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,910
per month
Owner Cost Burden
19.8%
of gross income
The median home in Kootenai County may be a stretch
Median home value is $518,700. Estimated monthly cost: $4,141 vs. your max of $1,910.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Kootenai County, Idaho?
What is the median rent in Kootenai County?
Is Kootenai County affordable?
How does Kootenai County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Kootenai County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Kootenai County, Idaho? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Kootenai County
Whether you're buying in Kootenai County, Idaho, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.