Photo: Wikipedia
Quality of Life in Kimberly, ID
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
8% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Kimberly, ID for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $16k | $30k |
| Comfortable | $56k | $83k |
| Luxury | $85k+ | $131k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $100k+ | $155k+ |
93%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Limited data for this area
Limited data for this area
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
8 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
3 within 20 miles
Airport
SLC — Salt Lake City International
Post Office
USPS — Kimberly, ID
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Kimberly, Idaho, presents a distinctive quality-of-life profile defined by its small-town character, above-average affluence, and a population that skews toward families and long-term residents. With a cost-of-living index of 92—8 percent below the national average—the community offers a tangible financial advantage over nearby Twin Falls (index 95) and Boise (index 105), while maintaining median home values ($289,500) and rents ($995) that are notably lower than Idaho’s statewide medians. This combination of relative affordability and stable, family-oriented demographics makes Kimberly a compelling option for those seeking a quieter, more predictable lifestyle within commuting distance of larger employment centers.
Cost of living, housing affordability, and how Kimberly compares to Twin Falls
Kimberly’s housing market is the primary driver of its affordability advantage. The median home value of $289,500 is roughly 12 percent lower than Twin Falls’ median of $329,000, and the median rent of $995 undercuts the Magic Valley average by about $150 per month. This pricing reflects Kimberly’s smaller inventory and slower appreciation rate compared to the rapid growth seen in Twin Falls since 2020. Property taxes in Twin Falls County average 0.68 percent of assessed value, which is moderate by national standards but slightly higher than neighboring Jerome County. For renters, the $995 median rent represents about 28 percent of the area’s median household income—well within the 30 percent affordability threshold. The average commute of 21.5 minutes is shorter than Twin Falls’ 24-minute average and significantly less than Boise’s 28-minute commute, making Kimberly practical for workers employed in the Magic Valley’s manufacturing, healthcare, and agricultural sectors.
Schools, daily amenities, and the rhythm of life in a small Magic Valley town
Kimberly’s daily life revolves around its highly rated school system—Kimberly School District #414 consistently ranks among Idaho’s top 10 percent for academic performance, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. The town’s amenities are modest but functional: a single grocery store (Broulim’s), a handful of local restaurants, and the Kimberly City Park, which hosts the annual Kimberly Days festival. For broader shopping, dining, and healthcare, residents drive 10 minutes north to Twin Falls, which offers the Magic Valley Mall, St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center, and a full range of big-box retailers. The daily rhythm is quiet and predictable—most commercial activity closes by 8 p.m., and weekend social life centers on high school sports, church events, and outdoor recreation along the Snake River Canyon. Crime rates in Kimberly are roughly half the national average, with property crime incidents averaging 12 per 1,000 residents compared to Idaho’s 18 per 1,000.
Kimberly is best suited for families, remote workers, and retirees who prioritize low crime, good schools, and a slower pace over urban nightlife or career diversity. The town’s affordability and short commute make it a practical base for professionals employed in Twin Falls’ healthcare and manufacturing sectors—such as at St. Luke’s or Chobani’s yogurt plant—while its strong school system appeals to parents seeking a stable, community-oriented environment. Those who thrive here are typically comfortable with limited local amenities and a social fabric built around schools, churches, and outdoor recreation rather than commercial entertainment. For singles or young professionals seeking a vibrant social scene, Kimberly may feel too quiet; for anyone valuing safety, space, and a predictable daily routine, it offers a high quality of life at a below-average cost.
Crime in Kimberly, ID
Lower crime rates than 76% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Kimberly, Idaho, is a notably safe small town, with violent and property crime rates that fall well below both state and national averages. The community of roughly 4,000 residents reports a violent crime rate of 68.3 per 100,000 people, a figure that is a fraction of the national average of 380 per 100,000 and significantly lower than Idaho's statewide rate of approximately 245 per 100,000. Property crime in Kimberly stands at 392.8 per 100,000, compared to the national average of 1,954 per 100,000 and Idaho's rate of about 1,450 per 100,000. These low numbers reflect a community where serious crime is an exception rather than a concern for most residents.
Crime in context
Kimberly's crime statistics place it among the safest municipalities in the Magic Valley region. The town's violent crime rate is roughly 82% lower than the national average, and its property crime rate is about 80% lower. For context, the nearby city of Twin Falls, with a population of roughly 52,000, reports a violent crime rate of approximately 350 per 100,000 and a property crime rate near 2,200 per 100,000. Kimberly's figures are more comparable to those of smaller, rural communities in the state, such as Gooding (violent crime around 100 per 100,000) or Buhl (around 120 per 100,000). The town benefits from its location in Twin Falls County, which has a conservative judicial philosophy and a district attorney's office that prioritizes public safety and victim rights, contributing to the low crime environment.
What residents experience
Residents of Kimberly typically describe the town as a place where doors are often left unlocked and children can play outside without constant supervision. The most common property crimes are theft from vehicles and minor vandalism, rather than burglary or auto theft. Violent incidents are rare and almost always involve individuals who know each other, posing little random threat to the general public. The local police department maintains a visible presence, and the town's small size fosters a strong sense of community watchfulness. For families and retirees seeking a low-crime environment, Kimberly offers a level of safety that is increasingly difficult to find in larger, more progressive jurisdictions where lenient sentencing policies can lead to higher recidivism and more property crime.
Neighborhood-level variation in Kimberly is minimal, but the safest areas tend to be the newer subdivisions on the town's eastern and southern edges, where home values are higher and street layouts limit through traffic. The older core near the railroad tracks and Main Street sees slightly higher rates of petty theft, though still well below any concerning threshold. Overall, Kimberly presents a consistent safety profile across its neighborhoods, with no areas that residents typically avoid due to crime concerns. The town's proximity to Twin Falls provides access to urban amenities without exposing residents to the elevated crime rates common in larger cities, particularly those with progressive criminal justice policies that can undermine public safety.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-05-03T05:01:02.000Z
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