Moving from Vancouver, WA to Nampa, ID
It is a 413 mi drive, roughly 7h 37m, between Vancouver, WA and Nampa, ID. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
413 mi Β· 7h 37m by car Β· WA β OR β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, US 30, US 20 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Gresham, Meridian, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vancouver | Nampa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.7% cheaper overall in Nampa than Vancouver on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.7% under Vancouver β $509,318 β $412,277 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Vancouver -0.7%, Nampa +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vancouver | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 9.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 11.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Nampa gets around 9.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VANCOUVER PEARSON AP, WA US, NAMPA SUGAR FACTORY, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vancouver | Nampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 106,289 |
| Median household income | $78,156 | $72,122 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 34.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 16.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.85 |
Households in Nampa earn about 6.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Nampa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Nampa average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Nampa sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Nampa compare to Vancouver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Nampa MSA vs $55,940 in the Vancouver MSA, on total employment of 372,470 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Nampa compared to Vancouver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $412,277 in Nampa vs $509,318 in Vancouver β a 19.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Vancouver to Nampa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 413 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Nampa more expensive than Vancouver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Nampa is 6.7% lower than Vancouver (98.391 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Nampa, ID from Vancouver, WA?
The driving distance is 413 mi and the route typically takes 7h 37m via I 84 and US 30. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Vancouver vs Nampa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,122 in Nampa vs $78,156 in Vancouver β a 7.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Vancouver.
City profiles: Vancouver, WA Β· Nampa, ID.