Cost to Own
United States › Idaho › Gem County › Emmett Population 7,948 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $625 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Gem County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Emmett, Idaho

A $299,000 home here costs

$2,255

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $96,500 a year.

P&I 72%Tax 5%Insurance 3%Utilities 9%Upkeep 11%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,630. The real number is $625 higher every month, 38% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Gem County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Emmett median: $299,000
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
ID average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $239,200 borrowed $1,630
Property tax0.496% effective rate for Emmett itself $124
Homeowners insuranceIdaho averages $884/yr (NAIC), or 0.233% of home value $58
Electricity13.37ยข/kWh, Idaho residential average, EIA $126
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $249
Total monthly $2,255

Emmett against Gem County and Idaho

MeasureEmmettGem County
Median home value$299,000$367,300
Median property tax$1,482$1,443
Effective tax rate0.496%0.393%
Median gross rent$854$887
Population7,94819,854

The weather behind that power bill

Emmett sits in Gem County, which averages a high of 92.5°F in its hottest month and a low of 15.4°F in its coldest, with 22.53" of precipitation a year and 43% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 493 cooling and 6,711 heating degree days, which is what sets the $126 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Gem County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Gem County

No other places of this size are published in Gem County.

Full Gem County cost breakdown · Every county in Idaho

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Emmett averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Emmett every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Emmett I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Emmett?

A $299,000 home in Emmett, Idaho costs approximately $2,255 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $1,630 principal and interest, $124 property tax, $58 homeowners insurance, $194 utilities and $249 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Emmett?

Emmett has an effective property tax rate of 0.496%, based on a median home value of $299,000 and median real estate taxes of $1,482. That is higher than the Gem County average of 0.393%.

What is the average home price in Emmett?

The median owner-occupied home value in Emmett, Idaho is $299,000, against $367,300 across Gem County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Emmett?

Median gross rent in Emmett is $854 a month, against $2,255 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Emmett?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Emmett, Idaho at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $96,500 a year. That covers the full $2,255 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Emmett, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Idaho.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology