State Comparison

Arizona vs Idaho

Arizona is cheaper overall, while Arizona has higher incomes, Arizona has lower state income tax, and Arizona gets more sunshine.

Arizona

AZ • West

Quality of Life Score

51.01

Idaho

ID • West

Better quality of life

Quality of Life Score

60.19

Arizona

18 / 31

metrics won

Wins

Score

Idaho

13 / 31

metrics won

ID wins Quality of Life

AZ wins Climate

ID wins Income

AZ wins Demographics

Quality of Life

Composite score — income, affordability, education, health, and safety.

Arizona

51.01

Idaho winner

60.19

Idaho scores higher on quality of life — 9.18 points difference.

Quick Take

Arizona vs Idaho

This quick read mixes affordability, housing, income, politics, density, and climate so the biggest tradeoffs show up fast.

Arizona has a larger population than Idaho by 5,312,396 people.
Arizona has the lower cost-of-living index. Arizona is at 103.1, while Idaho is at 103.3.
Arizona has the higher median household income at $72,581, compared with $70,214 in Idaho.
Arizona has the higher statewide minimum wage at $15.15/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in Idaho.

Overview

Key differences overview

These cards keep the comparison factual first, so the biggest tradeoffs in affordability, housing, taxes, politics, climate, and day-to-day living are easy to scan.

Overall Affordability

Arizona is 0.2 points cheaper overall

Arizona has the lower cost-of-living index. Arizona is at 103.1, while Idaho is at 103.3.

View detailed comparison

Income

Arizona income is 3.4% higher

Arizona has the higher median household income at $72,581, compared with $70,214 in Idaho.

View detailed comparison

Jobs

Arizona minimum wage is $7.90 higher

Arizona has the higher statewide minimum wage at $15.15/hr, compared with $7.25/hr in Idaho.

View detailed comparison

Housing

Idaho homes cost about 1.1x more

Arizona has the lower median home value at $327,400, versus $361,500 in Idaho.

View detailed comparison

Taxes

Arizona has lower state income tax

Arizona has the lower state income tax rate. Its top rate is 2.50%, compared with 5.80% in Idaho.

View detailed comparison

Cost of Driving

Idaho gas is about $0.49 cheaper

Idaho has the lower regular gas price at $4.254/gal, versus $4.742/gal in Arizona.

View detailed comparison

Full Comparison

Pick a category to focus on. General shows the most important facts at a glance.

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Capital City The official state capital.	Phoenix	Boise	Details ->
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Swing State	Solid Red	Details ->
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	7,151,502	1,839,106	Details ->
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$72,581	$70,214	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	103.1	103.3	Details ->
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$327,400	$361,500	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.48%	0.49%	Details ->
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	2.50%	5.80%	Details ->
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$15.15/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$4.742/gal	$4.254/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	15.61 c/kWh	12.07 c/kWh	Details ->
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	51.01	60.19	Details ->
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	60.3°F	44.4°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	193 days	120 days	Details ->
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	113,990 sq mi	83,569 sq mi	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	62.7 per sq mi	22.0 per sq mi	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	February 14, 1912 (#48)	July 3, 1890 (#43)	Details ->

Population -> Median Income -> Cost of Living -> Median Housing Value -> Property Tax -> State Income Tax -> Minimum Wage -> Gas Price -> Electricity Rates -> Livability Score -> Average Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Land Area -> Population Density ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Population Total resident population (2020 Census).	7,151,502	1,839,106	Details ->
Population Density Number of residents per square mile.	62.7 per sq mi	22.0 per sq mi	Details ->
Bachelor's Degree Adults age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (ACS 2023).	33.5%	32.1%	Details ->
Advanced Degree Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).	13.1%	10.6%	Details ->

Population -> Population Density -> Bachelor's Degree -> Advanced Degree ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Minimum Wage State minimum wage in U.S. dollars per hour (U.S. Department of Labor, updated January 1, 2026).	$15.15/hr	$7.25/hr	Details ->

Minimum Wage ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Livability Score Best States to Live In total score (August 11, 2025).	51.01	60.19	Details ->
Best State to Live In Composite living score for comparing states to live in, based on the existing livability score.	51.01	60.19	Details ->
Cost of Living Composite cost of living index (100 = national average). Lower = more affordable.	103.1	103.3	Details ->
Gas Price Average regular gasoline price by state (AAA State Gas Price Averages, updated daily).	$4.742/gal	$4.254/gal	Details ->
Electricity Rates Average residential electricity price in cents per kWh (EIA monthly state data, January 2026 preliminary).	15.61 c/kWh	12.07 c/kWh	Details ->
Commute Time Average commute time in minutes.	25.9 min	21.2 min	Details ->

Livability Score -> Best State to Live In -> Cost of Living -> Gas Price -> Electricity Rates -> Commute Time ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Average Temperature Average annual statewide temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.	60.3°F	44.4°F	Details ->
Summer Temperature Average statewide summer temperature across June, July, and August.	78.1°F	63.7°F	Details ->
Winter Temperature Average statewide winter temperature across December, January, and February.	43.6°F	25.4°F	Details ->
Sunny Days Average number of sunny or mostly sunny days per year.	193 days	120 days	Details ->
Annual Precipitation Average annual rain and snowfall combined, measured in inches.	13.6 in	18.9 in	Details ->

Average Temperature -> Summer Temperature -> Winter Temperature -> Sunny Days -> Annual Precipitation ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Median Housing Value Median residential home value in U.S. dollars.	$327,400	$361,500	Details ->
Median Gross Rent Median gross monthly rent in U.S. dollars.	$1,311/mo	$1,134/mo	Details ->
Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households with a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Owner Costs Without Mortgage Median selected monthly owner costs for households without a mortgage.	-	-	Details ->
Homeownership Rate Share of occupied housing units that are owner-occupied.	65.5%	70.0%	Details ->
Home Value to Income Ratio Median home value divided by median household income.	4.51x	5.15x	Details ->
Rent to Income Ratio Annualized median gross rent as a share of median household income.	21.7%	19.4%	Details ->
Owner Costs to Income Median selected monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income (ACS 2023).	16.6%	16.8%	Details ->

Median Housing Value -> Median Gross Rent -> Median Monthly Owner Costs With Mortgage -> Owner Costs Without Mortgage -> Homeownership Rate -> Home Value to Income Ratio -> Rent to Income Ratio -> Owner Costs to Income ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
State Income Tax Top marginal state income tax rate. 0% = no state income tax.	2.50%	5.80%	Details ->
State Sales Tax State-level sales tax rate. 0% = no state sales tax (local taxes may apply).	5.60%	6.00%	Details ->
Property Tax Effective real-estate property tax rate (% of home value, WalletHub February 17, 2026 using 2024 data).	0.48%	0.49%	Details ->

State Income Tax -> State Sales Tax -> Property Tax ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
State Color Simple political color label based on the 2024 presidential result and battleground status.	Swing State	Solid Red	Details ->
Presidential Voting Margin Signed 2024 presidential margin in percentage points (positive = Democratic, negative = Republican).	Rep +5.51	Rep +36.35	Details ->
Swing State / Battleground Whether the state was part of the core 2024 battleground map.	Battleground	Not a battleground	Details ->
Governor Party Current governor's party (NCSL partisan composition, January 27, 2026).	Democratic	Republican	Details ->
State House Control Current partisan control of the lower legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
State Senate Control Current partisan control of the upper legislative chamber (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	Republican	Republican	Details ->
Trifecta Whether one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers (NCSL, January 27, 2026).	No Trifecta	Republican Trifecta	Details ->

Presidential Voting Margin ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Gun Laws Status Simplified statewide gun-law label based on current Giffords grades: A to B = Restrictive, C to F = Permissive (scorecard modified February 20, 2026).	Permissive	Permissive	Details ->
Alcohol Laws Whether the state uses a control-state or license-state model for distilled-spirit sales (NABCA directory accessed April 6, 2026).	License State	Control State	Details ->
Marijuana Legalization Current statewide marijuana status: Legal, Medical, or Illegal (NCSL state cannabis laws page updated June 27, 2025).	Legal	Illegal	Details ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Land Area Total land area in square miles.	113,990 sq mi	83,569 sq mi	Details ->
Highest Point Highest natural point in the state, with summit elevation.	Humphreys Peak (12,637 ft)	Borah Peak (12,668 ft)	Details ->
Statehood When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.	February 14, 1912 (#48)	July 3, 1890 (#43)	Details ->
Capital City The official state capital.	Phoenix	Boise	Details ->
Region U.S. Census Bureau geographic region.	West	West	Details ->

Land Area -> Highest Point ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Life Expectancy Life expectancy at birth in years (CDC 2021).	76.6 yrs	78.9 yrs	Details ->
Older Adult Health Outcomes Composite score for comparing state health outcomes for older adults, using life expectancy, insurance coverage, and obesity prevalence.	51.3	61.2	Details ->
Uninsured Rate Share of residents without health insurance coverage.	9.9%	8.9%	Details ->
Obesity Rate Adult obesity prevalence.	33.3%	32.7%	Details ->

Life Expectancy -> Older Adult Health Outcomes -> Uninsured Rate -> Obesity Rate ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Violent Crime Rate Violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI UCR 2022).	473.4	224.7	Details ->
Property Crime Rate Property crime incidents per 100,000 residents.	2150.2	957.6	Details ->

Violent Crime Rate -> Property Crime Rate ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Median Income Median household income in U.S. dollars.	$72,581	$70,214	Details ->
Regional Price Parity Official price level relative to the national average (100 = U.S. average).	99.2	92.6	Details ->
Poverty Rate Share of residents below the federal poverty line (ACS 2023).	12.4%	10.1%	Details ->
Employment/Population Ratio Employed civilian population as a share of the adult population (ACS 2023).	57.8%	60.1%	Details ->
Unemployment Rate Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (BLS, December 2025).	4.3%	3.6%	Details ->
Job Growth Change in total nonfarm payroll employment from December 2024 to December 2025 (BLS).	0.8%	1.0%	Details ->

Median Income -> Regional Price Parity -> Poverty Rate -> Employment/Population Ratio -> Unemployment Rate -> Job Growth ->

Metric	AZ	ID	Deep dive
Retirement Score Composite score for comparing states for retirement, combining affordability, taxes, housing, health, safety, and winter climate.	69.4	68.2	Details ->

Retirement Score ->

Intent-Oriented

Which state fits your priorities better?

Use these cards as decision shortcuts for common goals like saving money, buying a home, finding better weather, or optimizing for work and family life.

Saving Money

Arizona is cheaper overall

Overall cost-of-living index: 103.1 vs 103.3 in Idaho. On a national baseline of 100, the lower score usually means cheaper day-to-day expenses.

See full data

Gas Price

Idaho is cheaper at the pump

Average regular gas price: $4.254/gal in Idaho vs $4.742/gal in Arizona. Lower pump prices can cut everyday driving costs.

See full data

Minimum Wage

Arizona has the higher minimum wage

State minimum wage: $15.15/hr in Arizona vs $7.25/hr in Idaho. That matters most for hourly, entry-level, and part-time workers.

See full data

Electricity Rates

Idaho has cheaper electricity

Average residential electricity rate: 12.07 c/kWh in Idaho vs 15.61 c/kWh in Arizona. Lower cents-per-kWh pricing can help keep utility bills down.

See full data

Buying a Home

Arizona is more attainable for buyers

Home-value-to-income ratio: 4.51x in Arizona vs 5.15x in Idaho. A lower ratio means the median home is easier to afford on a median income.

See full data

Renting

Idaho is easier for renters

Rent-to-income ratio: 19.4% in Idaho vs 21.7% in Arizona. A lower percentage means rent takes a smaller bite out of a typical household budget.

See full data

Property Tax

Arizona has lower property taxes

Effective property tax rate: 0.48% in Arizona vs 0.49% in Idaho. A lower rate usually means a smaller yearly tax bill relative to home value.

See full data

Battleground Politics

Arizona is a swing state

Arizona was one of the core 2024 battleground states, while Idaho was not. That usually means tighter races and more campaign attention.

See full data

State Color

Arizona votes bluer

2024 presidential margin: Rep +5.51 in Arizona vs Rep +36.35 in Idaho.

See full data

Government Control

Idaho has a trifecta

Idaho currently has republican trifecta, while Arizona does not. That usually means state laws can move faster in Idaho.

See full data

Alcohol Laws

Idaho uses a control-state system

Idaho uses a control-state system for liquor sales, while Arizona uses a license-state system.

See full data

Marijuana Legalization

Arizona has broader marijuana access

Arizona currently rates as Legal, while Idaho rates as Illegal under statewide marijuana law.

See full data

Lower Taxes

Arizona has lower income taxes

Top state income tax rate: 2.50% in Arizona vs 5.80% in Idaho.

See full data

More Space

Idaho feels less crowded

Population density: 22.0 per sq mi in Idaho vs 62.7 per sq mi in Arizona. Lower density usually means more space and less day-to-day congestion.

See full data

Shorter Commute

Idaho has the shorter commute

Average commute: 21.2 min in Idaho vs 25.9 min in Arizona.

See full data

Job Opportunities

Idaho looks better for job seekers

Unemployment rate: 3.6% in Idaho vs 4.3% in Arizona. Idaho also leads on job growth.

See full data

Remote Workers

Idaho looks better for remote workers

Livability score: 60.19 in Idaho vs 51.01 in Arizona. Idaho also has the shorter average commute.

See full data

Families

Idaho looks better for families

Idaho wins more family-oriented signals in this matchup, including violent crime rate, life expectancy, uninsured rate compared with Arizona.

See full data

Warmer Climate

Arizona is warmer overall

Average annual temperature: 60.3°F in Arizona vs 44.4°F in Idaho.

See full data

More Sunshine

Arizona gets more sun

Sunny days per year: 193 days in Arizona vs 120 days in Idaho.

See full data

Detailed Metric Pages

Grouped tabs keep the deep-dive links tighter and easier to scan.

Population

Arizona has a larger population than Idaho by 5,312,396 people.

Population Density

Arizona is more densely populated than Idaho.

Bachelor's Degree

Arizona has a higher college-educated share than Idaho.

Advanced Degree

Arizona has a higher advanced-degree share than Idaho.

Arizona vs Idaho - Common Questions

Q Is Arizona cheaper to live in than Idaho?

Arizona has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Arizona scores 103.1 versus 103.3 for Idaho - a gap of 0.2 points.

Q Which state is bigger - Arizona or Idaho?

Arizona is larger, covering 113,990 sq mi compared with 83,569 sq mi for Idaho - roughly 1.4x the size.

Q Does Arizona or Idaho have more people?

Arizona has the larger population at 7,151,502, compared with 1,839,106 in Idaho.

Q Which state has higher household income - Arizona or Idaho?

Arizona has the higher median household income at $72,581, versus $70,214 in Idaho.

Q Which state has lower income taxes - Arizona or Idaho?

Arizona has the lower state income tax top rate at 2.50%, compared with 5.80% in Idaho.

Q Is housing cheaper in Arizona or Idaho?

Homes are cheaper in Arizona, where the median home value is $327,400, versus $361,500 in Idaho.

Q Which state is more densely populated - Arizona or Idaho?

Arizona is more densely populated at 62.7 per sq mi people per sq mi. Idaho is more spread out at 22.0 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related Comparisons

Alaska vs Idaho

California vs Idaho

Methodology

All figures are sourced from U.S. government datasets and updated annually. Page last updated: April 2026.

Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files and statehood dates from the National Archives. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset, with minimum wage data from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker. See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.