Idaho's 5.8% income tax drops to Utah's 4.5%. Property tax goes from ~0.63% to 0.37%. Both financial factors favor St. George — plus 300+ sunny days vs. Idaho winters.
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Talk to a Specialist →Idaho's top income tax rate is 5.8% — higher than Utah's 4.5% flat rate. The income tax savings for an Idaho retiree with $80K in pension/IRA income: approximately $1,100–$1,400/year. Not dramatic, but meaningful.
The property tax story is clearer. Idaho's effective property tax rate runs approximately 0.63% — nearly double Utah's 0.37%. On a $500K Idaho home: approximately $3,150/year. On a comparable $500K Utah home: $1,850/year. Annual property tax savings: approximately $1,300. Over 10 years: $13,000.
| Factor | Idaho | Utah (St. George) |
|---|---|---|
| Income tax rate | 5.8% (top bracket) | 4.5% flat |
| Income tax on $80K | ~$4,200 | ~$3,000 |
| Property tax effective rate | ~0.63% | ~0.37% |
| Annual tax on $500K home | ~$3,150 | ~$1,850 |
| Combined annual savings | — | ~$2,500–$2,700/yr |
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Idaho buyers making this move are almost universally motivated by the climate exchange: Idaho winters (particularly Boise area) involve significant gray, cold, and snow. St. George averages 300+ sunny days per year and rarely sees snow that sticks. Winters in St. George are mild — January lows around 30°F, but daytime highs often reach 55–60°F.
The summer trade-off is real: St. George summers are hot (102°F+ in July and August). Most Idaho buyers who have researched the market know this. Visiting in July rather than April or October gives an honest picture of both sides of the seasonal character.
Idaho's Boise-area retirees constitute a growing feeder market for St. George. The I-84 to I-15 corridor makes the drive roughly 5–6 hours, keeping family connections manageable while trading winters for desert sun.
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