People from all over are considering moving to Idaho as it’s known for its vast outdoor experiences and temperate climate. But with over 220 cities, how do you know which city is best to raise your family?
Having lived in several cities in Idaho I’ve got a good idea of the best spots to raise a family. Below I’ll walk you through some of the most desirable cities.
What Is the Best City in Idaho to Raise a Family?
| Rank | City in Idaho | Estimated Population | Median Rent Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise | 240,000 | $1,600 |
| 2 | Meridian | 130,000 | $1,800 |
| 3 | Caldwell | 65,000 | $1,500 |
| 4 | Nampa | 110,000 | $1,500 |
| 5 | Middleton | 12,000 | $1,300 |
| 6 | Idaho Falls | 70,000 | $1,400 |
| 7 | Emmet | 8,000 | $1,400 |
| 8 | Star | 13,000 | $1,500 |
| 9 | Rexburg | 35,000 | $1,400 |
| 10 | Eagle | 33,000 | $1,900 |
| 11 | Garden City | 13,000 | $1,700 |
1. Boise
Boise is the best place to raise a family in Idaho. With an impressive range of museums, parks, excellent city planning, and numerous recreational activities in close proximity to the city, it’s no wonder that Boise has been dubbed as a top city to raise a family for years.
For families who are looking for an adventure, Boise has a river and plenty of nearby mountains that offer possibilities for fun outdoor adventures like camping, fishing, and hiking.
Also, the city is located near a number of national forests, including the Sawtooth and Boise National Forests, both of which are a little over a 2-hour drive.
Or, you can take a quick drive up to the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort and hit the slopes on your skis, snowboard, or sled in the winter, and enjoy nature hikes during the warm seasons.
If you’re not an outdoorsy person, no worries.
Throughout the city, you’ll find numerous activities such as bowling alleys, movie theaters, a water park, and various go-kart tracks, great for entertaining the kids on weekends.
If you prefer more traditional means of entertainment, you can head to downtown Boise to enjoy its vibrant dining scene, art galleries, and local shops.
The neighborhoods within Boise are some of the best in Idaho. Not only are they safe, but they also have a lot of character.
One of the most popular neighborhoods, Hyde Park, located near downtown, is chalked full of local shops and eateries and has been a major attraction to families for decades.
All that combined with access to excellent healthcare and educational systems, it’s no wonder why people keep moving here.
In short, if you’re looking for an exemplary and safe place to raise your family in Idaho look no further than Boise.
2. Meridian
Meridian is a superb city located in the Boise metropolitan area. With over 120,000 people, the city offers everything a family could need and more.
The weather is mild and sunny most of the year, making it easy to enjoy outdoor activities like biking and walking trails.
Plus, Meridian is home to some of the best public schools in the state, including some excellent private schools to choose from.
There are countless opportunities for families to explore together. The city offers numerous parks and recreational facilities for parents and children alike.
Settlers Park is perfect for swimming, fishing, and picnicking, while nearby Eagle Island offers a nice beach area and water slides in the warm months, and snow tubing come winter.
As well, the nearby Eagle Skate Park provides everything a skateboarder or BMX rider needs to practice their tricks and techniques.
In addition to recreation options available within the city limits, you’ll also be able to find plenty of shopping centers around town which makes running errands a breeze or treating yourself every now and then effortless.
With so much to do in terms of entertainment and leisure activities across the area you really can’t go wrong with Meridian.
Just know you’ll have to pay a premium if you want to live there as it’s considered one of the nicer towns in Idaho.
3. Caldwell
Caldwell is an ideal city for families because of its friendly, small-town atmosphere, and ample job opportunities. Located just over 27 miles from Boise and flanked to the south by the majestic Owyhee Mountains, Caldwell provides a perfect balance between rural and urban living.
How do I know? Because I’m here right now as I type this article.
The downtown area isn’t nearly as large as Boise’s, but it is growing steadily. That said, it’s still awesome.
There’s a stream that flows through the center of town, an ice skating rink, a stage for performances, and numerous events throughout the year are held here.
Caldwell also has excellent public schools that are committed to student success.
Each elementary school features low student-to-teacher ratios and state-of-the-art technology that enable your kids to maximize their learning potential.
And if your kids don’t want to run away from you by the time they graduate high school, the College of Idaho is just on the outskirts of downtown. Or they can drive to BSU, which is only about 30 to 40 minutes away.
Considering how quickly Caldwell is growing, finding a job isn’t hard either. There are several retailers, factories, local shops, and even farms that are looking for help.
And if you don’t find a job you like, you can drive 15 minutes away to Nampa (Idaho’s third-largest city), or 30 minutes to Boise.
At the same time, Caldwell prides itself on its family values.
Local churches like Our Lady of the Valley offer daily service and great opportunities for community building, while robust organizations like 4H help keep young kids busy with projects throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly place with great outdoor activities and educational options that’s not far from Idaho’s capital, I highly recommend checking out Caldwell!
4. Nampa
Nampa is a good area for families looking for a safe, clean, and thriving city to raise their children. With a family focus at its core, the city boasts plenty of opportunities for spending quality time together as a family, both indoors and outdoors.
Located less than 20 miles from Boise, Nampa is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots in the state of Idaho.
Its location ensures that residents can enjoy all of the activities that Boise has to offer while also having access to a variety of amenities closer to home.
The city offers several parks and trails for hiking, biking, and skateboarding; along with various sports facilities for team sports practice and competitions.
Education is also highly valued in this small community. Nampa has over 14 elementary schools, four middle schools, five high schools, two alternative high schools, one virtual high school option, and five Charter Schools offering dedicated education options from K-8th grade.
Plus, Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) located in Nampa makes local access to higher education easily attainable with many degree programs available online or onsite in traditional or accelerated formats, all of which offer flexible schedules for working parents.
Furthermore, local businesses are aiding growth potential by making hiring easy with both current openings and new jobs continually posted on websites like Indeed and Monster.
This alone suggests promising prospects in many job markets including agriculture, retail, services logistics, medicine/health, food tech, and engineering just to name a few!
Lastly, affordable housing helps keep Nampa attainable while maintaining itself as a welcoming and relaxing place.
5. Middleton
Middleton is a vibrant community located just west of Boise and is a great option for those looking to raise a family. This city has many qualities that make it a good spot to settle down.
It has excellent schools, ample recreational activities, and opportunities, as well as affordable housing options.
In fact, the Middleton School District provides an education program with consistent top ratings from the state.
The classrooms are well-equipped with modern technology and teaching methods that prepare students for college and beyond. Community resources are also available to help each student reach their full potential.
Middleton offers plenty of outdoor recreation to get your family off the couch and into nature.
With hiking trails, parks, biking trails, and golf courses conveniently scattered throughout the area, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy together.
The housing market in Middleton is also highly competitive compared to other cities in Idaho.
So, if you’re looking for a top-notch home to invest in, you might just find it here.
There’s also plenty of variety too, from charming older homes that have been meticulously maintained, fixer-uppers waiting for new owners, and a ton of new housing going up as we speak, there are options to match any budget or preference.
Middleton neighborhoods provide a laid-back ambiance that makes raising children here all the more enjoyable.
Whether it’s exploring downtown or visiting one of its many entertainment venues such as movie theaters or parks, there’s always plenty to do.
Undoubtedly, Middleton is an excellent city for any family looking to start fresh.
6. Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, located in eastern Idaho, is often rated as one of the best cities in the state for raising a family.
With its friendly people, strong economy, and high quality of life, Idaho Falls provides a great environment for parents and children alike.
The city is filled with amenities that make it an outstanding location for families, including highly-rated schools, parks, hospitals, and natural attractions.
Outdoor activities are plentiful throughout the entire year here thanks to several nearby attractions such as the Grand Teton National Park, located just south, along with Shoshone Falls, in addition to other scenic spots all within an hour or two drive.
Hence offering plenty of ways to explore nature with your kids or get some exercise with friends.
The city is well known for its excellent public school system that serves students from Pre-K to 12th grade.
There are 4 colleges in the area, including 3 private colleges and universities and 1 community college offering 2-year degrees.
Idaho Falls also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year featuring art shows and musical performances, perfect for young and old alike.
Additionally, cultural attractions like museums provide ample learning opportunities.
The city has plenty of shopping options making it quick and easy to get what you need without leaving town. Idaho Falls truly stands out among other family-friendly cities in Idaho.
7. Emmet
Emmet is an immaculate location for families looking for a peaceful and charming city to call home. This town is situated in Gem County and is part of the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area, with a population of just over 8,000 people.
I know, it’s not much.
Nonetheless, with its stunning views of rolling hills and rich cultural identity, Emmet offers countless outdoor activities year-round while providing excellent educational opportunities and modern amenities at pocket-friendly prices.
Aside from its breathtaking nature, Emmet also features parks, golf courses, swimming pools, restaurants, stores, and other conveniences making it perfect for those who wish to raise a family.
In addition to this, the area has great educational institutions like the Gem County School District that provide both high school and elementary options for education.
With these schools come extracurricular activities like sports that introduce children to key values such as teamwork dynamics and camaraderie during the most important stages of their development.
For families who desire social security in their future plans, the City of Emmet has affordable housing with incentives that can assist in buying a first home or future investments like retirement plans which give security when considering long-term plans.
Apart from owning property here, there are other financial benefits such as lower taxes than in most places within Idaho.
Thus creating a greater potential to use the money towards investment or other services like healthcare or college savings plans for your children.
8. Star
Star is a small, charming city located in Canyon County (the same county as Caldwell) that offers a perfect environment for raising a family. The community offers something for everyone, from excellent schools to an abundance of activities.
Star residents are proud to be a part of this unique and inviting place. Seriously, Star has a ton to offer.
- Nearby state parks
- Lakes
- Public parks and playgrounds
- A sport complex
- An athletic field
- Public golf courses
- Animal sanctuaries
- And so much more
Children living in Star have access to top-rated schools that are renowned for their dedication to success in learning. It’s no surprise that the public schools here have some of the highest test scores across the state.
Furthermore, Star is home to some of Idaho’s best private schools such as Victory Charter School, which can provide a well-rounded educational experience for your children.
On top of all this Star offers other amenities such as local shops keeping real essence alive at every corner, giving you an unrivaled feel when shopping for local products ranging from homemade goods to fresh produce.
This means you and your family are treated to fresh food no matter what time a year it is.
All these reasons lead me to believe that living in Star can provide tremendous opportunities for raising a happy and healthy family.
9. Rexburg
Rexburg is a small city in Idaho with a population of about 35,000. Located about 28 miles away from Idaho Falls and 300 miles away from Boise, Rexburg offers families the best of both worlds.
Boasting family-friendly attractions like Yellowstone National Park, the Tautphaus Zoo, and Rexburg Rapids Aquatic Center, it’s no wonder Rexburg is such a great place to raise a family.
Additionally, Rexburg provides access to numerous activities and services to help keep families active and healthy. From more than 9 parks to 8 different gym facilities within 5 miles of downtown, there are plenty of opportunities for exercise.
The area is also home to dozens of highly-rated restaurants and fast food chains that offer convenient meals on the go.
With some of the nation’s best schools located in Rexburg, providing quality education for children is not a problem in this city.
With 3 high schools within 10 miles of downtown (including an award-winning charter school), several colleges (such as BYU), as well as numerous private religious schools, finding the right school for your family in Rexburg shouldn’t be difficult.
Finally, it’s important to note that both crime rates and housing prices are lower than the state averages in Rexburg which makes it an even more attractive city to live and raise a family in.
10. Eagle
Eagle, Idaho is a perfect place to raise a family. This small city offers a peaceful, rural atmosphere that provides a safe and secure environment for children to grow and thrive.
With an abundance of outdoor activities, such as fishing and hiking, families can enjoy the beauty of nature together
The schools are top-notch and have an excellent track record for preparing students for college.
The biggest appeal for Eagle is its low crime rate. With a population of just over 33,000 people, the city is incredibly safe.
Furthermore, Eagle is a very family-oriented place, with a variety of family-friendly events and activities.
The city also offers a wide range of services, such as parks, libraries, and community centers, to help families stay connected and engaged with the community.
The only downside to living in Eagle is the high cost of housing.
The city has seen rapid growth in recent years, which has led to a sharp increase in housing prices. Not to mention, Eagle is one of the nicest cities in Idaho, so expect to pay a premium.
Despite this, Eagle remains an attractive option for families looking for a safe and secure environment to raise their children.
11. Garden City
Garden City is an excellent place to raise a family, in fact, I spent the first 18 years of my life in this city. Located on the outskirts of downtown Boise, the city offers a small-town atmosphere with the convenience of living in the city.
When it comes to grocery stores and other retail outlets, there are plenty of options.
From large chains like Walmart to local specialty stores, there is something for everyone. Plus, shopping is made even easier with the many delivery services offered in the area.
Garden City also offers plenty of outdoor activities including the nearby Boise River and the Boise Greenbelt—a 25-mile-long pathway that winds through the City of Boise, Idaho.
The Green Belt is one of the most active paths in Boise, especially during the warmer seasons.
It stretches from the Lucky Peak Dam in the east to Eagle Island State Park in the west, and meanders along the banks of the Boise River, connecting many of the city’s popular parks, natural areas, and neighborhoods.
Along the way, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Boise Foothills, take a leisurely stroll through parks, or cycle along the flat paved pathway for miles on end.
The Greenbelt is a great way to explore Boise, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
In the spring and summertime, Garden City comes alive with outdoor festivals, concerts, and farmers’ markets.
Another huge plus is the one-and-only Boise Hawks Baseball Stadium which is located down the main stretch of road that runs through Garden City, and directly next to the Idaho Fair Grounds.
Each year at the end of August, the fair brings in over 250,000 people from all around Idaho and Oregon, making this town a dream come true for any family.
How Are These Cities Ranked?
These cities are ranked on livability, median rent price, population, and available amenities.
Having lived in four of these cities myself (Boise, Garden City, Nampa, and Caldwell), and often visiting others, I know from experience that they’re all good places to raise a family.
In fact, my wife moved from California to Boise for a better life (back before everyone started moving here).
This list is my honest opinion, as I’d never recommend a location where I wouldn’t actually live myself.