Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Idaho to Utah
Idaho and Utah are both Mountain West states experiencing significant in-migration — but Utah has a clear income tax advantage. Idaho's income tax reaches 5.8% above just $4,489 of taxable income (effectively a flat tax for all working adults), compared to Utah's 4.55% flat rate. At $100,000 income: Idaho costs $1,250 more in income taxes than Utah. Property taxes are low in both states: Idaho ~0.69% vs Utah ~0.57% — on a $350,000 home, Utah saves approximately $420/year in property taxes. Combined, Utah saves approximately $1,670/year vs Idaho at $100,000 income. Idaho's Boise metro has grown rapidly — #1 or #2 inbound migration destination multiple recent years — driven by California refugees seeking lower costs; but Utah's Silicon Slopes offers a deeper tech career ecosystem.
Top Rate (above $4,489 single)
Effectively flat at 5.8% for most workers; reducing to 5.695%; property tax ~0.69%
Flat Rate
Flat 4.55% income tax; very low property tax ~0.57%; Silicon Slopes tech hub
At $100,000 income:
That is $139/month back in your pocket!
| Income | ID Tax | UT Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $2,900 ID income tax (5.8%); ~$1,035 property ($150K × 0.69%) = ~$3,935 total | $2,275 UT income tax (4.55%); ~$855 property ($150K × 0.57%) = ~$3,130 total | UT saves ~$805 | $8,050 |
| $75,000 | $4,350 ID income tax; ~$1,725 property ($250K × 0.69%) = ~$6,075 total | $3,413 UT income tax; ~$1,425 property ($250K × 0.57%) = ~$4,838 total | UT saves ~$1,237 | $12,370 |
| $100,000 | $5,800 ID income tax; ~$2,415 property ($350K × 0.69%) = ~$8,215 total | $4,550 UT income tax; ~$1,995 property ($350K × 0.57%) = ~$6,545 total | UT saves ~$1,670 | $16,700 |
| $150,000 | $8,700 ID income tax; ~$3,105 property ($450K × 0.69%) = ~$11,805 total | $6,825 UT income tax; ~$2,565 property ($450K × 0.57%) = ~$9,390 total | UT saves ~$2,415 | $24,150 |
| $200,000 | $11,600 ID income tax; ~$4,140 property ($600K × 0.69%) = ~$15,740 total | $9,100 UT income tax; ~$3,420 property ($600K × 0.57%) = ~$12,520 total | UT saves ~$3,220 | $32,200 |
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Moving between Idaho and Utah? Mountain West partial-year returns, retirement income deductions, and domicile changes require specialist guidance. Get matched with a CPA who specialises in Western state moves.
⚠ Not for simple single-state returns. Free filing is fine for straightforward W-2 situations.
Get Matched With a CPA →Idaho's income tax structure has two brackets: 0% on the first $1,662 (single, 2024) and 5.8% on everything above. In practice, virtually all wage earners reach the 5.8% bracket within weeks of the first paycheck — making it effectively a flat 5.8% for most purposes. Idaho has been reducing its top rate: from 6.925% (2020) to 6.5% (2022) to 5.8% (2023). Idaho Governor Little has expressed a goal of continuing rate reductions, with 5.695% scheduled for 2024 (5.695% confirmed for 2024). Further reductions to 5.5% or below are being discussed but not yet legislated as a fixed schedule. Idaho's reform is happening but more slowly than Iowa's or North Carolina's.
Both cities are popular California escape destinations, but they serve different profiles. Boise appeal: smaller city feel, less urban density than SLC, lower home prices, outdoor lifestyle without Utah's ski-resort crowding, and lower traffic. SLC appeal: deeper job market for those with tech backgrounds (Silicon Slopes), bigger city amenities (NBA team in Utah Jazz, larger airport hub with Delta focus city), international university research. Tax-wise: Utah saves approximately $1,500–3,000/year vs Idaho for typical professional salaries. For pure remote workers who can work from anywhere: either city offers massive savings vs California, and the Boise vs SLC choice comes down to lifestyle and community preferences more than the tax difference between them.
Yes — agricultural property in Idaho is assessed at its agricultural use value rather than market value, significantly reducing property tax bills for farms and ranches. This agricultural assessment discount means Idaho farmers often pay effective rates well below the 0.69% residential average. Idaho also provides an investment tax credit for qualifying agricultural business investments. For agricultural purposes, Idaho's tax treatment is favorable. For non-agricultural property owners (suburban and urban residents), the 0.69% effective rate reflects the full residential burden. Idaho also has a significant food sales tax exemption — Idaho does not charge sales tax on most unprepared food items (grocery purchases), which reduces the effective sales tax burden for families.
Boise: median home price approximately $420,000–450,000 (2024) after a significant surge and partial correction from 2021-2022 peaks near $500,000. Ada County (Boise proper) is higher; Canyon County (Nampa, Caldwell) significantly more affordable at $300,000–350,000. Salt Lake City: median approximately $525,000–575,000 in the core SLC metro; Davis and Weber counties to the north are more affordable at $400,000–450,000. Boise's lower price point means that even with a slightly higher property tax rate, the absolute property tax bill on a comparable purchase is lower in Boise than SLC. For buyers with a fixed budget of $400,000: they get more home in Boise than SLC, but SLC's income tax advantage ($1,250/year at $100,000 income) partially offsets the housing advantage.
Utah is the world-class ski destination. The Wasatch Mountains receive some of the best snow in the world (the 'Greatest Snow on Earth' marketing is backed by meteorological data), and Salt Lake City has multiple top-rated resorts within 30–45 minutes: Alta, Snowbird, Park City Mountain Resort (largest US ski area by acreage), Deer Valley, Brighton, Solitude. Idaho has excellent but less accessible skiing: Sun Valley (Ketchum) is world-class and relatively uncrowded, but is 2.5 hours from Boise; Bogus Basin is a modest local mountain with limited vertical. Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint (northern Idaho) is excellent but 6 hours from Boise. For skiers who prioritize resort access from their home base: Salt Lake City is dramatically superior. The ski access premium is a key reason many outdoor enthusiasts choose SLC over Boise despite the income tax disadvantage.