Should I Move To
Caldwell, Idaho is home to about 61,212 people. On cost of living, it lands in the moderate band — essentially matching the national average. The median renter pays around $1,012 a month against a typical household income of $65,259. Our composite UrbRank Score lands at 44 out of 100 (grade D), putting it at #708 nationally.
UrbRank Score · General
Each dimension scored 0-100 against every other US city.
Based on overall cost of living vs. other US cities.
Temperate summers & winters, moderate precipitation.
Walk Score — how feasible daily errands are on foot.
Unemployment rate plus household income vs. national median.
Air quality index (EPA AQS data).
Share of residents 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Caldwell's composite cost-of-living index lands at 99 (100 = US average), which puts it in the moderate band. At $1,012/mo against $65,259 in median household income, the typical renter spends about 19% of income on housing — comfortably under the 30% rule of thumb, which is unusual. Median home value sits around $284,000.
Full cost-of-living breakdown →Climate is four-season — summer averages around 88°F, winter averages around 27°F. Precipitation totals about 12 inches a year. Some neighborhoods are walkable; others aren't. A car is useful, but not required everywhere. Air quality reads good (AQI 45).
Verdict by lifestyle profile — same data, different priorities.
Caldwell doesn't obviously fit families. It earns 38/100 (grade F) on the families profile. Strongest on affordability (68/100); weakest on education (8/100).
Caldwell doesn't obviously fit retirees. It earns 45/100 (grade D) on the retirees profile. Strongest on affordability (68/100); weakest on education (8/100).
Caldwell doesn't obviously fit remote workers. It earns 49/100 (grade D) on the remote workers profile. Strongest on affordability (68/100); weakest on education (8/100).
Caldwell doesn't obviously fit young professionals. It earns 46/100 (grade D) on the young professionals profile. Strongest on affordability (68/100); weakest on education (8/100).
Caldwell, Idaho pulls a 44/100 overall on the UrbRank Score (grade D), currently ranked #708 nationally. The composite weights seven lifestyle dimensions: affordability, safety, climate, walkability, jobs, environment, and education.
Caldwell's cost-of-living index is 99 (with 100 as the US average), which lands in the moderate band — essentially matching the national average. Median rent runs about $1,012/mo.
Four-season — summer averages around 88°F, winter averages around 27°F, with about 12 inches of precipitation a year.
Walk Score: 53/100. Some neighborhoods are walkable; others aren't. A car is useful, but not required everywhere.
Caldwell has about 61,212 residents, 18% of adults 25+ holding a bachelor's degree or higher with a median age of 30.
Use UrbRank's comparison tool to put Caldwell head-to-head against any other US city — housing, salaries, demographics, and quality-of-life metrics side by side. The leaderboard pages also show how Caldwell stacks up for families, retirees, remote workers, and young professionals specifically.
Every US city is scored 0-100 on seven dimensions using public data from the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA Air Quality System, NOAA NCEI, and Walk Score. Each dimension is a percentile rank against every other city — so a score of 80 means the city is in the top 20% nationally on that dimension.
The overall score is a weighted average. Five lifestyle profiles — general, families, retirees, remote workers, young professionals — weight the dimensions differently to reflect what each cares about. Families get more weight on safety and schools; young professionals get more weight on jobs and walkability; retirees get more weight on climate.
Compare Caldwell with other Idaho cities scored on UrbRank.
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