Rows tagged local are specific to Caldwell (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Boise, ID. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 4/10 (district Caldwell District · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
94.2
metro-area
#86 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
95.8
metro-area
#68 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.36
metro-area
#84 of 200 metros
Median household income
$65,259
local
#2401 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$32,391
local
#2878 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.4 years
metro-area
#68 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
36.6%
metro-area
#67 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
6.6%
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
72.7%
metro-area
#23 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.14%
local
#1801 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
+18.6%
local
#309 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$284,000
local
#1278 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
4.4×
local
#2012 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
+0.3%
metro-area
#130 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$154
local
#1248 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
1,850 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,012
local
#454 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,842
Median days on market
9
metro-area
#43 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
10.7%
state
#124 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.03%
state
#28 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
5.70%
Capital gains tax
5.80%
state
#137 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
0.63%
local
#485 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$1,801
local
#524 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.8 years
metro-area
#38 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,200
state
#10 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
8.9%
metro-area
#110 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
68
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$8,500
state
#19 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$140
state
#124 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Not required
Emissions detail
No vehicle emissions testing
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
25 min
local
#1114 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
71.8%
metro-area
#58 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
29.8%
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
12.7¢/kWh
state
#2 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$114
state
#2 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.70/gal
state
#168 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$52
state
#23 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$205
state
#194 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#77 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,300
state
#22 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,100
state
#2 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: wildfire, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
80.5 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#27 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$500
state
#1 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$300
state
#143 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
54
metro-area
#168 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
81%
state
#166 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
48
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
6
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
90°F
metro-area
#135 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
24°F
metro-area
#124 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
11.7"
metro-area
#13 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
19.0"
metro-area
#121 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
61%
metro-area
#82 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
240
state
#13 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,300
state
#8 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
2
state
#1 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Easy; fast-growing but light regulation
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.