Salaries in Nampa, ID

You might assume a city of 114,261 with a median income of $71,752 is a comfortable place to live. You'd be right, but the real story isn't what you earn; it's what you can actually buy with it. Nampa’s secret weapon is its cost of living index of 93.4, meaning your dollar stretches about 7% further here than the national average.

That index number translates to real purchasing power. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $1,074 a month, which is manageable on that median income. But the big win is in the adjusted salaries. A software developer making $124,740 here has a purchasing power equivalent of over $133,000 nationally. It’s a surprisingly good deal for tech workers who can land remote gigs or local positions.

Who thrives here? The economy is anchored by agriculture and food processing, but the growth is in healthcare and, quietly, software. St. Luke’s Health System is a massive employer, and you’ll find a surprising number of tech roles supporting the agricultural tech boom. The city’s 3% unemployment rate shows it’s a worker’s market.

Here’s the honest catch: while the average salary is $52,510, that’s barely enough for a single person to live comfortably without a roommate or a second income. Wages are keeping pace with costs for now, but the gap is narrowing. This city works beautifully for skilled trades, remote professionals, and teachers who get paid decently for the lifestyle.

The data below breaks down who earns what, and why a plumber might live better here than a corporate manager elsewhere.