12 Best Idaho Towns For Retirees
Known for its rugged mountain landscapes and rich outdoor scenery like the Craters of the Moon, Idaho is a state full of opportunities. Along with tourism, the state has many communities perfect for retirees. Idaho boasts a safe environment, affordability, and low taxes. Over 17% of the state's residents are over the age of 65. Zillow.com notes that the average home value in Idaho is $472,000 as of September 2025.
The state's natural beauty, abundance of outdoor activities, and welcoming atmosphere in its towns draw retirees to move to Idaho. This article will examine a dozen of the best Idaho towns for retirees, all of which feature average home values at or below the state median.
Ashton
Ashton is known as the "world's largest seed-producing area," according to the Ashton Chamber of Commerce. It is located in Fremont County at the southern end of the Yellowstone Caldera and is within easy distance of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Situated halfway between West Yellowstone, Montana, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the breathtaking natural beauty of this small rural town of about 1,000 people, with home values averaging $275,000, attracts retirees to the area.
The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, almost 29 miles long, starts in Ashton, traveling through the Warm River area towards Upper and Lower Mesa Falls. This is just one of the natural wonders of the Ashton area. Of course, you can't miss Yellowstone National Park and Teton National Park, two of the main draws of Ashton. The Ashton Senior Citizens Center is also available to retirees relocating to the area, to introduce them to others within their age group. The nearest hospital, Fremont Medical Center, is just 14 miles down the road in Saint Anthony, should medical care be required.
Blackfoot
The county seat of Bingham County, Blackfoot, is home to about 12,000 people in the heart of Idaho's potato country and the Snake River Plain. Homes here average around $365,000. Whether you are looking for outdoor recreation or indoor fun during your retirement years, Blackfoot has it all.
Jensen Grove Park and Lake offers walking trails, picnic areas, fishing, bird watching, and opportunities to appreciate nature. If you are interested in exploring ancient lava fields, check out Hell's Half Acre Lava Field Trails about 10 miles north of Blackfoot. The Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot is where you can learn about Idaho's relationship to the potato, and even buy interesting potato-themed treats like potato fudge. The Bingham County Senior Center in Blackfoot provides health, fitness, social, and wellness programs to area seniors. Lastly, Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot is handy when medical needs arise.
Burley
Burley is the county seat of Cassia County and the second-largest town in Idaho's scenic Magic Valley in the south-central part of the state. Home to almost 12,000 people, with median home values averaging $330,000, Burley is also home to a Pacific Ethanol facility that produces 10% of the state's transportation fuels. McCain Foods, the largest French fry-producing plant in North America, is also in Burley and is occasionally open for public events.
River's Edge Golf Club in Burley is ideal for retirees who love to play a good game of 18 holes from time to time. For quiet time beside the Snake River, check out Lex Kunau Park, which offers opportunities for water sports, swimming, and hiking. The Burley Senior Center offers programs for seniors, including fitness classes, social activities, and more. Cassia Regional Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, serves the medical needs of Burley residents.
Cottonwood
Situated in north central Idaho's Idaho County, on the Camas Prairie, the town of Cottonwood is home to fewer than 1,000 folks. This small, rural town is known for its peaceful atmosphere and affordability, with homes averaging $340,000. Many retirees are moving to the Cottonwood area for these reasons.
The Cottonwood Recreation Site, under the control of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, is a peaceful setting a few miles from town with 13 campsites and access to the Upper Salmon River. Seniors looking for a drink may enjoy touring and tasting at Wolftrack Brewing and Tasting Den in Cottonwood. On sober occasions, one can gather at Rodonna’s Country Haus Restaurant in Cottonwood for lunch and dinner. The Cottonwood Senior Center fulfills the needs of the town's senior residents. The small town even has its own hospital, St. Mary's Health, right in town, in case medical issues arise.
Chubbuck
Just north of Pocatello in southeastern Idaho is the town of Chubbuck, population about 15,500, in Bannock County. Homes here average a comfortable $385,000. Those who retire to the smaller town of Chubbuck often do so to escape the larger cities, relishing the fact that Chubbuck is just minutes from Pocatello and only three hours by car from Boise.
The Portneuf Wellness Complex, looped by two miles of 10-foot-wide walking paths, is designed for the use of the entire Chubbuck and Pocatello community and includes a state-of-the-art amphitheater that holds 11,000 people. Blackrock Canyon is about 15 miles south of Chubbuck and has over 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding for active seniors. Cherry Springs Nature Area, about 15 miles from town, features walking paths and picnic tables. The Pocatello Senior Activity Center serves Chubbuck residents with opportunities for social engagement. Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, just four miles away, provides medical care for Chubbuck's residents.
Fruitland
A town of about 6,000 people along the Snake and Payette Rivers in Payette County, Fruitland's median home values are $410,000, still under the state average. Many retirees are moving to this town in the Treasure Valley of southwest Idaho, about 50 miles west of Boise on the border of Oregon, to enjoy small-town life with larger-city amenities close by.
Mesa Park in Fruitland is a place to watch (or play) soccer, flag football, baseball, softball, disc golf, or take a hike or stroll. Hungry seniors know to visit Hitchcock Station in town, which serves locally sourced food as well as local beer and wine. Caldwell Senior Center, about a half-hour's drive from Fruitland, provides activities for adults aged 50 and older in the area. Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario, Oregon, is just three miles from Fruitland, should medical care be needed.
Grangeville
Grangeville is the county seat of Idaho County in north central Idaho. It is home to about 3,000 people. Sitting at the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains, homes in Grangeville average an affordable $335,000. Retirees here value the town's kindness, welcoming spirit, and astounding views. The Grangeville Senior Center provides a library, hot meals, and events for senior citizens in the area. Syringa General Hospital in town is handy for basic medical needs.
Grangeville Golf and Country Club is a local favorite for seniors. It is open to the public from April through October and features a 9-hole golf course, restaurant, and pro shop. Lion's Park is the largest park in Grangeville, with over 13 acres of courts, a disc golf course, and picnic areas. Heritage Square, at the corner of Main Street and South State Street, houses a fountain and a covered area with a hand-painted mural. It is often used for community events and entertainment.
Kendrick
A small town of about 300 residents in Latah County, Kendrick was named after James P. Kendrick, the chief engineer of the Northern Pacific Railroad. It sits on the Potlatch River in the north-central area of the state. The town's homes average a comfortable $435,000. Retirees like Kendrick for its suburban/rural feel as well as for its community annual events like the Locust Blossom Festival each May, held in the city park.
The Ed Corkill Memorial Trail is a 10.5-mile trail along the river, good for seniors who want to stay fit. The town's JKHF Museum houses historical artifacts of Kendrick, such as a 1745 Irish Book of Sermons and a Chicago pump organ. The Senior Citizens Center of Kendrick on Sixth Street offers programs and activities for the town's seniors. Gritman Medical Center in Moscow is just a half-hour drive away if medical care is needed.
Lewiston
Lewiston is the county seat of Nez Perce County in the north central part of the state, at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in the Lewis-Clark Valley. Although it is the third-largest city in the northern Idaho region, its population is just 34,000. Median home values of $385,000 draw many retirees to this town with a uniquely dry, temperate climate, ideal for year-round recreational activities.
Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston offers a senior citizen discount, which may be attractive to retirees moving to the area who wish to take classes. The Port of Lewiston, Idaho's seaport, is the furthest inland seaport in the Pacific Northwest, with eight dams and locks to the ocean. The Lewiston Parks & Recreation Senior Nutrition Program serves lunch to residents age 60 and over three days per week in the Lewiston Community Center. The city operates 23 parks, including Modie Park, with garden plots, public art, and trails. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in town can handle the medical needs of most residents.
Orofino
The county seat of Clearwater County, Orofino, has a population of about 2,600, and sits along Orofino Creek and the north bank of the Clearwater River in north central Idaho. It is the major city within the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. Homes here average an affordable $320,000. This, along with the natural beauty of the area, attracts many retirees to move to Orofino. Clearwater Valley Hospital in Orofino provides medical care to residents and visitors.
Clearwater National Forest includes four million acres of diverse land, wilderness, wildlife, and more. Community events in Orofino include the annual Orofino Lumberjack Days in September and the Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade in December. These events keep seniors in touch with the community and provide plenty of fun ways to kill time.
Payette
Located in southwestern Idaho, near the Snake River and Oregon border, Payette is the county seat of Payette County and is home to about 8,000 residents. Homes here average $435,000, still under the state median. Boise is about an hour's drive away. The beauty, affordability, and proximity to cities are just a few reasons retirees are moving to Payette.
Kiwanis Park on Sixth Avenue South is home to the town's bandshell, which hosts events throughout the year, and a community swimming pool. Scotch Pines Golf Course welcomes golfers of all ages and abilities to play. Payette County Museum hosts historical artifacts and genealogy information from the region. The Payette Senior Center offers activities and resources for area seniors, while Weiser Memorial Hospital is about 20 minutes away in the town of Weiser.
Salmon
The county seat of Lemhi County, the town of Salmon, home to 3,000 folks, is on the edge of the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness and sits along the Salmon River (also known as the "River of No Return"). Its home values averaging $340,000, natural beauty, and quieter way of life draw many retirees to call Salmon their new home. The City of Salmon Senior Center in Salmon welcomes seniors for programs and activities. Steele Memorial Medical Center is an 18-bed Critical Access Hospital in Salmon that can serve many residents' medical needs.
The Salmon River offers fishing, hunting, and whitewater rafting and floating opportunities. Sharkey Hot Springs in Salmon features two large concrete soaking pools, changing rooms, a fire pot, and an interpretive kiosk for seniors to relax. The Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center is a visitor center for the area that examines the art and culture of Sacajawea.
Journey to the Gem State
Retirees are drawn to these Idaho towns for their peacefulness, spectacular views, and affordability. Whether you prefer to live in a town with larger city amenities, such as Lewiston or Chubbuck, or want to get away from it all in a truly rural small town like Kendrick or Cottonwood, moving to any of these 12 Idaho towns could be the best decision you make to start your happiest years in retirement.
