Journeys|From ID|To NY|Idaho → New York

Moving to New York from ID: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Chandi Lyn profile pictureChandi Lyn secondary profile picture
Chandi LynID Local Expert
Alexa Matthews profile pictureAlexa Matthews secondary profile picture
Alexa MatthewsNY Local Expert
Trading wide open mountain terrain for one of the most densely packed urban environments in the country is no small decision. Idaho's relaxed pace, affordable housing, and endless outdoor access sit at the opposite end of the spectrum from New York's electric energy, sky high costs, and legendary culture. The contrast between these two states goes far deeper than geography, touching nearly every corner of daily life from your grocery bill to your commute. Our Snappy Scout team (Chandi & Alexa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect long before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway.
Moving from Idaho to New York featured image

Who's Behind This Guide

Chandi Lyn profile pictureChandi Lyn fun illustration
Idaho Local Expert
Chandi Lyn
“She adores arthropods, which explains why spiders get house tours instead of screams.”
See full bio
Alexa Matthews profile pictureAlexa Matthews fun illustration
New York Local Expert
Alexa Matthews
“A real New Yorker, she orders BECSPK in under a second and never clogs the line.”
See full bio

The Drive from Idaho to New York

Average distance
2,350miles
Typical route
I-84 E, I-80 E, I-90 E

Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):

Boise, ID → New York City, NY
~2400 miles
Idaho Falls, ID → New York City, NY
~2300 miles
Pocatello, ID → Buffalo, NY
~2200 miles
Coeur d'Alene, ID → Albany, NY
~2400 miles
Twin Falls, ID → Syracuse, NY
~2350 miles
Residential neighborhood shots across Manhattan
Moving to New York means getting to call neighborhoods like Times Square, Upper East Side, or Upper West Side in Manhattan home.

Should You Move From Idaho to New York Quiz

Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York from Idaho is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.

Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score

Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.

Unpacking the Cost of a Idaho to New York Move

Moving 2,350 miles from Idaho to New York will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.

Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
5–12days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
Home SizeMoving CostVolume (ft³)$/ft³
Studio$1,260.00300$4.2
1 Bedroom$1,860.00450$4.13
2 Bedrooms$3,070.00750$4.09
3 Bedrooms$4,450.001,100$4.05
4 Bedrooms$6,400.001,600$4
5+ Bedrooms$7,110.001,800$3.95
Snappy Scout camel
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
comparison of housing options and types between neighborhoods in Idaho and New York
Take a look at the differences in housing options and neighborhood vibes between Boise, ID and Manhattan, NY.

How Will Your Current Idaho Personality Work in New York?

Well, it depends. If you're a Wall Street Exec, Minimalist, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or Farmer's Market Regular, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Idaho to New York.

Top 3 winners and losers moving from ID to NY

Wall Street Life
Verdict: Winner
Idaho
3.5
/10
New York
9
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Downtown finance growing, but no NYSE vibe on 8th Street
New York
Gaining
NYSE steps, power lunches at Delmonico's, Bloomberg chatter
Recommended NY cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Manhattan Financial District
Minimalism
Verdict: Winner
Idaho
4.5
/10
New York
8
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Minimalism exists, but gear-heavy Idaho adventure nudges toward clutter
New York
Gaining
High Line zen, Muji vibes, tiny space mastery
Recommended NY cities/areas for Minimalists
Long Island CityBattery Park CityWilliamsburg
Thrifting
Verdict: Winner
Idaho
6
/10
New York
8.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Vintage Boise market, Caldwell Goodwill bins, Vandal era finds
New York
Gaining
Brooklyn Flea hauls, Beacon's Closet conquests
Recommended NY cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
WilliamsburgGreenpointEast Village
Cowboys
Verdict: Loser
Idaho
8
/10
New York
2.5
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Snake River Stampede, county fairs, boot stores everywhere
New York
Gaining
Painted Pony rodeos happen, but city sirens drown honky tonk
Recommended NY cities/areas for Cowboys
Lake LuzerneAtticaStony Creek
Adventure Activities
Verdict: Loser
Idaho
9.5
/10
New York
6
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Sawtooth trails, Brundage powder, Perrine Bridge jumps, South Fork of the Salmon River
New York
Gaining
Gunks climbs, High Peaks bagging, Letchworth's canyon thrills
Recommended NY cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Adirondack High PeaksShawangunksLetchworth
Farmer's Markets
Verdict: Loser
Idaho
8.5
/10
New York
7
/10
Idaho
Giving up
Capital City Public Market bounty, Ketchum Sundays, Sandpoint cherries
New York
Gaining
Union Square Greenmarket bounty, Finger Lakes produce, Rondout vibes
Recommended NY cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
Union SquareIthacaKingston
Local Perspective

What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?

The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
comparison of hotspots between neighborhoods in Idaho and New York
Checkout this neighborhood hotspot comparison. The lifestyle differences between Idaho & New York will definitely change how you enjoy your new state.

Lifestyle differences between living in Idaho and living in New York

IdahoNew York

Idaho Food vs New York Food: What You Need to Know

Eating Like a Local in Idaho

Many restaurants have Navajo tacos on the menu. It's a Western favorite and there's nothing special to ordering it — though you should ask what the spice level is if you're sensitive to that.

Chandi Lyn profile pictureChandi LynIdaho Local Expert

Eating Like a Local in New York

BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.

Alexa Matthews profile pictureAlexa MatthewsNew York Local Expert

From Idaho to New York: How Your Tax Story Transforms

IdahovsNew York
State Income Tax
Idaho
Flat 5.8% statewide, grocery tax credit helps offset food sales tax
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Idaho
Ada and Kootenai higher with rapid growth, Eastern Idaho lower, homestead exemption helps
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
Homes across New York
A sampling of housing you might be paying property tax on across New York. Featuring the towns of Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Albany.

What Changes About People, Politics, & Religion When You Move from Idaho to New York

IdahovsNew York
People
Idaho
Outdoorsy, neighborly, generally welcoming, always willing to pitch in and help
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Idaho
Deep red statewide, Boise city tilts blue, Moscow and Sun Valley are progressive pockets
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
Idaho
Mostly Christian, strong LDS in eastern Idaho, evangelicals statewide, unaffiliated rising in Boise
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
Comparing the state capitol buildings between Idaho and New York.
The Idaho state capitol building in Boise compared to the New York state capitol building in Albany.

What Feels Different About the Weather When You Move from Idaho to New York

SUMMER
Idaho

High desert broiler mode (triple digits in Treasure Valley, breezy at the lakes up north).

New York

subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)

WINTER
Idaho

Icebox roulette vibe (Idaho Falls and Rexburg bitter cold, Boise inversion gloom, Panhandle snow globe).

New York

parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)

My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York

The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.

Alexa Matthews profile pictureAlexa MatthewsNew York Local Expert

Next Steps

Learn More About Moving to New York

By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Idaho, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.

Shaded, tree-lined sidewalk flanked by brownstone stoops, wrought-iron railings, and parked cars.

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