Loan balance over time
| Total of 360 payments | $923,018 |
| Principal | $356,800 |
| Interest | $461,848 |
| Taxes | $57,540 |
| Insurance | $46,830 |
| HOA fees | $0 |
What these numbers come from
- Median home value
- $446,400
- Median tax bill
- $1,912
- Effective tax rate
- 0.43%
- Rank of 51
- 49th highest
Idaho taxes property at about 0.43% of value against 0.89% nationally. On a $446,000 home that is $171 a month less than the same house would cost in taxes at the national rate. Rates are set by counties, cities and school districts, so your own bill will differ from the state median — put your actual figure in the property tax field and the payment updates.
Tax and home value figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Insurance is estimated at 0.35% of home value per year — there is no comparable public per-state dataset, so treat it as a placeholder and replace it with your own quote. The interest rate is the national Freddie Mac 30-year average of 6.58%; this site does not publish state-level rate quotes.
Monthly cost across Idaho home prices
20% down, 30-year fixed at 6.58%, with Idaho property tax of 0.43% and estimated insurance.
| Home price | Loan | P&I | Tax/mo | Full payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $268,000 | $214,400 | $1,366 | $96 | $1,541 |
| $357,000 | $285,600 | $1,820 | $128 | $2,052 |
| $446,000 median | $356,800 | $2,274 | $160 | $2,564 |
| $558,000 | $446,400 | $2,845 | $200 | $3,208 |
| $670,000 | $536,000 | $3,416 | $240 | $3,852 |
The gap between the P&I column and the last one is what a mortgage quote leaves out. In Idaho taxes alone add $160 a month on a median-priced home.
Amortization schedule
| Date | Principal | Interest | Tax, Ins. & HOA | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug | $318 | $1,956 | $290 | $356,482 |
| Sep | $319 | $1,955 | $290 | $356,163 |
| Oct | $321 | $1,953 | $290 | $355,842 |
| Nov | $323 | $1,951 | $290 | $355,519 |
| Dec | $325 | $1,949 | $290 | $355,195 |
| 2026 | $1,605 | $9,765 | $1,450 | $355,195 |
| Jan | $326 | $1,948 | $290 | $354,868 |
| Feb | $328 | $1,946 | $290 | $354,540 |
| Mar | $330 | $1,944 | $290 | $354,210 |
| Apr | $332 | $1,942 | $290 | $353,878 |
| May | $334 | $1,940 | $290 | $353,545 |
| Jun | $335 | $1,939 | $290 | $353,209 |
Refinancing in Idaho
The arithmetic is the same everywhere: refinancing pays off when the monthly saving clears the closing costs before you sell or refinance again. What differs by state is the cost of getting there — recording fees, transfer and mortgage taxes, and whether an existing tax assessment survives the new loan.
Work the break-even with the refinance calculator, or check this week’s national average rates.
Idaho home loans in detail
Idaho Mortgage Overview
Idaho is known as the 'Gem State' because it is abundant in natural resources. Residents of Idaho love the incredible weather, natural beauty, and the large number of outdoor activities available year-round.
The average home price in Idaho is around $475,000 and the median household income is around $75,000.
If you're thinking of buying a home in Idaho, you have many mortgage options available:
Idaho conventional loans
Borrowers with great credit have good luck with the Idaho conventional loans. You'll need low debt ratios and stable income and employment. Borrowers can get a loan with just 3 percent down on their first home, but you'll pay Private Mortgage Insurance until you pay the loan balance down to less than 80 percent of the home's value.
Idaho FHA loans
Borrowers with hiccups on their credit or a lot of debt, do better with FHA loans. The FHA program requires just 3.5 percent down, but allows credit scores as low as 580. FHA loans have flexible underwriting guidelines, but in exchange, they require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. If your credit score is between 500 - 579, you may still qualify, but with a 10 percent down payment.
Idaho VA loans
Veterans with a stable income and 'decent' credit can take advantage of the VA loan program. You'll get 100 percent financing (no down payment), and flexible underwriting guidelines. As long as you meet the program's disposable income requirements for your area and family size, you'll be on your way to buying your first home with a VA loan.
Idaho USDA loans
USDA loans are an option for borrowers who don't qualify for any other loan program. You must make less than 115% of the average income for your area of Idaho and live in the home as your primary residence. USDA loans provide 100 percent financing and flexible underwriting guidelines for borrowers.
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Idaho
Homebuyer Tax Credit
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association allows first-time homebuyers to take a tax credit for up to 35 percent of the interest paid on the loan each year (up to $2,000). Borrowers who meet the income requirements and who are first-time homebuyers are eligible.
Down payment and closing cost assistance
If you have good credit the down payment and closing cost assistance from the IHFA provides two options:
Second mortgage
Receive up to 3.5 percent of the sales price as a second mortgage at 5 percent for 10 years. Borrowers with a 640 credit score who are first-time homebuyers may qualify.
Forgiven loan
Receive up to 3.5 percent of the sales price as a forgivable loan over 7 years. You must contribute 0.5 percent of the sales price of your own funds.
Idaho mortgage FAQ
- How much is property tax on a home in Idaho?
- Idaho homeowners pay an effective property tax rate of about 0.43 percent of home value — the 49th highest of the 50 states and DC. On the state's median home value of $446,400 that works out to roughly $1,918 a year, or $160 a month added to the mortgage payment. The figures come from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates; your own bill depends on the county and city rates where the home sits.
- What is the monthly payment on a median-priced Idaho home?
- At $446,000 with 20 percent down and the current 6.58 percent national 30-year fixed average, principal and interest come to about $2,274 a month. Adding Idaho property tax of roughly $160 a month and an estimated $130 of homeowner insurance brings the full payment to around $2,564.
- What mortgage options do Idaho homebuyers have?
- Idaho offers conventional loans with just 3 percent down for buyers with strong credit, though PMI applies until the balance drops below 80 percent of the home value. FHA loans need 3.5 percent down with a 580 score, or 10 percent down for scores of 500 to 579. VA loans give veterans 100 percent financing, and USDA loans finance 100 percent for those earning under 115 percent of the area average.
- What programs does Idaho have for first-time buyers?
- The Idaho Housing and Finance Association offers a Homebuyer Tax Credit worth up to 35 percent of the mortgage interest paid each year, plus two down payment and closing cost options, either a second mortgage of up to 3.5 percent of the sales price repaid at 5 percent over 10 years for buyers with a 640 credit score, or a loan forgiven over 7 years if you contribute 0.5 percent yourself.
- How much is the minimum down payment in Idaho?
- Veterans can buy with zero down through the VA program, and USDA loans also require no down payment for eligible lower income buyers in qualifying areas. Otherwise, conventional loans start at 3 percent down on a first home and FHA loans at 3.5 percent with a 580 credit score, rising to 10 percent for scores between 500 and 579.
Property tax in every state
Effective rate on owner-occupied value, highest bills first in each column.
- Alabama0.38%
- Alaska1.06%
- Arizona0.43%
- Arkansas0.52%
- California0.71%
- Colorado0.49%
- Connecticut1.66%
- Delaware0.47%
- District of Columbia0.63%
- Florida0.75%
- Georgia0.74%
- Hawaii0.27%
- Illinois1.92%
- Indiana0.74%
- Iowa1.29%
- Kansas1.25%
- Kentucky0.71%
- Louisiana0.53%
- Maine0.91%
- Maryland0.95%
- Massachusetts1.00%
- Michigan1.18%
- Minnesota1.02%
- Mississippi0.65%
- Missouri0.79%
- Montana0.69%
- Nebraska1.42%
- Nevada0.47%
- New Hampshire1.46%
- New Jersey1.89%
- New Mexico0.63%
- New York1.45%
- North Carolina0.61%
- North Dakota0.96%
- Ohio1.22%
- Oklahoma0.75%
- Oregon0.78%
- Pennsylvania1.16%
- Rhode Island1.07%
- South Carolina0.45%
- South Dakota1.02%
- Tennessee0.45%
- Texas1.31%
- Utah0.49%
- Vermont1.42%
- Virginia0.71%
- Washington0.79%
- West Virginia0.52%
- Wisconsin1.25%
- Wyoming0.57%