Challis, Idaho
Among the top 10% of US places for affordability.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade A, better than 90% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 64% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 32% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade C, better than 29% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 16% of US places
- top 2% for summer humidity
- top 4% for property tax rate
- bottom 1% for natural disaster risk
Limited data for Challis — the figures below are what we have. See Custer County for a fuller picture.
Challis is a small community in Idaho with about 840 residents. It grades A for affordability and D for lifestyle & connectivity. Standout strengths include summer humidity, property tax rate, and air quality. It rates lower on park & nature access and natural disaster risk.
- The median home value in Challis is $182k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Challis is $36k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Challis is $592 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- July temperatures in Challis average around 69°F, per the NOAA nClimGrid.
Climate
Warm, dry summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Heavy snow
freez.
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cool
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warm
hot
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90%44%clearovercast
Precipitation 0.6 in0.4 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$36k8th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$49kbetter than 38% of US places
Home Value$182k56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$592better than 92% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$187better than 58% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.35%better than 96% of US places
Income Tax5.80%better than 36% of US places
Sales Tax6.03%better than 83% of US places
Estimated total tax burden9.54%better than 54% of US places
Unemployment1.3%better than 73% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)20°F12th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)69°F10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation6.9 in1st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall40.7 inbetter than 21% of US places
Sunny Days268 daysbetter than 84% of US places
Summer Humidity43°Fbetter than 98% of US places
Comfortable Days38 daysbetter than 5% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk99.8better than 0% of US places
Air Quality26 AQIbetter than 94% of US places
School Quality48.9better than 33% of US places
Community
Population84047th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age38.538th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2253rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.1174th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+5583rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)84.0%48th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)0.0%22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)8.3%69th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)0.1%56th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)7.5%83rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Walkability6.2/20better than 43% of US places
Airport Distance119 mibetter than 28% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access75.3%better than 20% of US places
Amenities Nearby178.57better than 67% of US places
Park & Nature AccessLimitedbetter than 1% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Challis an affordable place to live?
- Challis is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $49k, better than 38% of comparable areas. Median rent is $592.
- What is the weather like in Challis?
- Challis averages 69°F in July and 20°F in January, with 6.9 in of annual precipitation and about 268 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Challis?
- Public-school quality in Challis is below average, scoring better than 33% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.