Sandpoint 76 Excellent
Sandpoint Livability #24 ranked city in Idaho#3,442 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
  • Uncover the key details before you move
  • Use local data to guide a smarter investment
  • Compare neighborhoods side by side
Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Sandpoint

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in Sandpoint?

Located in the state of Idaho, Sandpoint is a small-sized city with a population of 9,030 people. According to the most recent Census, 92% of Sandpoint residents are White, 1% Asian and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Sandpoint. With an average one way commute time of only 16 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Sandpoint could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Idaho if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, commute, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Sandpoint and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Sandpoint to Idaho and the national average.

Sandpoint, ID receives 77/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #20 in Idaho and #2,698 in the USA. Based on this score, Sandpoint would be considered a very livable city! The cherry on top is that Sandpoint also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Sandpoint ranks well for crime (A+), cost of living (B-) and housing (B+)

Crime rates can be the deciding factor for anyone looking to relocate to a new area, as the result is often a greater level of safety and security as well as an improved quality of life. Sandpoint gets top scores for their low violent crime rates of 86 crimes per 100,000 residents, which are significantly lower than the national average.

The unemployment rate in Sandpoint has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 2.3%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Sandpoint market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Sandpoint is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Sandpoint come in at $505,022, which is 64.6% higher than the Idaho average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Sandpoint, the home price to income ratio is 7.2, which is 71.4% higher than the Idaho average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Sandpoint

See all the best places to live around Sandpoint

How Do You Rate The Livability In Sandpoint?

1. Select a livability score between 1-100
0
Awful
25
Poor
50
Average
75
Good
100
Great
2. Select any tags that apply to this area
View results

Compare Sandpoint, ID Livability

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs
      Compare Neighborhoods & Addresses Local Insights Report

      Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.

      Local Insights Report

      Sandpoint transportation information

      Statistic Sandpoint Idaho National
      Average one way commute16min20min26min
      Workers who drive to work65.2%78.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.3%10.0%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.9%0.7%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle3.1%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.6%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home3.9%5.9%4.6%
      Source: The Sandpoint, ID data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.