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Boise City, ID

Cost of living in Gem County, ID

Part of the Boise City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$2,941/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 19,854 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,008 34%
Healthcare $480 16%
Federal tax $410 14%
Groceries $331 11%
Transport $320 11%
State tax $170 6%
Energy $162 6%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Gem County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$926
per month
1 bedroom
$1,008
per month
2 bedroom
$1,322
per month
3 bedroom
$1,778
per month
4 bedroom
$2,091
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Gem County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$66,245
per year
Individual earnings
$35,108
per year
Per capita
$34,695
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Gem County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$367,300
Annual property tax
$1,443

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Gem County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$110
per month · 11.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$1,944
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Gem County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Gem County

State and local tax rates for Idaho.

State income tax
5.8%
Flat rate
State sales tax
6.0%
Combined sales tax
6.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Gem County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
30.9 min
Drive alone
75.3%
Public transit
0.2%
Work from home
12.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Gem County

What it costs to live in Gem County each month.

Single person
$2,941
per month
  • Rent $1,008
  • Energy $162
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $331
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $410
  • State tax $170
Couple
$4,493
per month
  • Rent $1,322
  • Energy $194
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $549
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $754
  • State tax $320
Family
$7,082
per month
  • Rent $1,778
  • Energy $243
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $832
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $754
  • State tax $320

Frequently asked questions about Gem County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Gem County?

In Gem County, ID, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,008 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,322 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,778 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Gem County?

In Gem County, ID, the average household income is $66,245 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $35,108 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Gem County?

The estimated cost of living in Gem County, ID is approximately $2,941 per month for a single person, $4,493 for a couple, $7,082 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Gem County?

The combined sales tax rate in Gem County, ID is 6.03%, which includes the Idaho state rate of 6.00% plus an average local rate of 0.03%.

Is Gem County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Gem County, ID would need approximately $2,941 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $66,245 per year ($5,520 per month). Gem County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Gem County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Gem County, ID is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Gem County?

The average home value in Gem County, ID is $367,300, with average annual property taxes of $1,443, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Gem County compare to other areas?

You can compare Gem County, ID with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Gem County is in the Boise City, ID metro area.

Other counties in Idaho

Browse the full list of counties in Idaho, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Idaho

Compare Gem County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP