Welcome to Nampa — The Basics You Should Know
On the winding banks of the Snake River, where prospectors once mined the hills for treasure and irrigation turned the arid fields to gold, lies one of the most popular and least well-known cities in the country: Nampa, Idaho. This town has proven itself a master of transformation over the past 200 years, evolving from sheer wilderness into a Union Pacific hub, an agricultural basin and now an emerging center of technological innovation.
Fleeing high prices and high stress levels on the coast, newcomers have flocked to the Treasure Valley over the last twenty years. More than 117,000 people now call Nampa home — 43% more than in 2010 — making the Gem State’s third-largest city its second-fastest growing. But population increases in the greater Boise area have also driven home values skyward, especially in Meridian. During this time, Nampa has remained more insulated but not unscathed by rising demand for real estate here, so first-time buyers have often looked to this city as a cool-handled entry point into an otherwise fiery market.
Affordability aside, one of the biggest draws to Nampa is nature. Despite the scorching summer days and sometimes bitterly cold winter nights, the landscape of the Snake River Valley is endlessly alluring. Outdoor enthusiasts have an expansive playground at their disposal, whether they’re looking for fly fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking or mountain biking. The woodlands of the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests are made for adventuring, while areas like Lake Lowell are built for relaxation. If you’re moving to Nampa from the coast, you may miss the ocean air, but you won’t miss the great outdoors.
Located in Canyon County, this popular Idaho suburb is just 20 miles from Boise, so you’ll have easy access to more urban amenities, from museums to restaurants to arts spaces — you won’t have to completely sacrifice city living to move to this area of the country. The work-life balance may be one reason so many remote workers have moved to Nampa permanently following the pandemic, even as other cities have seen their numbers dwindle. Nampa’s smaller scale has also kept it attractive to younger families looking for space to spread out.
If you’re looking for a growing city in the Mountain West with exciting possibilities on the horizon, Nampa may be the place for you. Learn more about the city below in our moving guide, where we’ll address the pros and cons of living in Nampa, including the housing market, the weather, and our favorite things to do, indoors and out.
What’s Drawing People to Nampa?
More Home for Less Money
While the worst of Boise’s growing pains have been borne by the city proper and the suburb of Meridian, Nampa has not entirely escaped the region’s real estate inflation. The median home value in Nampa has now risen to $332,500 — $30,000 above the U.S. average — but this is quite affordable now, in the Treasure Valley. The average home in Boise is valued at more than $450,000, and Meridian homes now average $485,000, so Nampa prices really do pale by comparison. Canyon County prices tend to lean lower overall, compared to Ada County — homes in nearby Caldwell, another Treasure Valley city with surging popularity, are even less expensive than in Nampa.
Compared with homeowners, renters don’t save as much by choosing Nampa over Boise and its other suburbs. The median gross rent in Nampa is $1,340 — only $19 below the state capital’s average — and hundreds higher than Caldwell’s. Meridian still charges the top dollar, though — residents of this suburb should expect to shell out more than $1,700, on average.
Income levels in Nampa lag behind the U.S. average by more than $5,000. With a median household income of $72,122, Nampa residents trail Boise’s average by nearly $10,000. But the lower income level in Nampa doesn’t seem to have elevated the poverty rate — which is below the national average — nor has it suppressed the home ownership rate, which exceeds it. In fact, at 71.4%, Nampa has the second-highest rate of home ownership of all the largest cities in the state. This may be good news for first-time buyers who are eager to break into the market, and the affordability will also be appealing to remote workers fleeing exorbitant prices on the coast.
Outdoors at Your Doorstep
If you’re considering a move to the greater Boise area, you’re likely familiar with some of the Gem State’s greatest jewels — Craters of the Moon, City of Rocks and — of course — Yellowstone. But there are a few sites that don’t always see as much of the national spotlight as they deserve. One of those is Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. In addition to fabulous hiking trails with soaring views of the region, visitors can observe relics from the Pliocene epoch — a period 3–4 million years ago when hominids were first emerging and other mammals were dying out. You can see a fossilized head of a Pliocene camel, the leg bone of an ancient peccary — an intimidating relative of today’s javelinas and pigs — and the most famous fossil on site, the so-called Hagerman Horse, an ancestor of modern equines.
One of the easiest treasures to reach from Nampa is Lake Lowell. Just 20 minutes southwest of downtown, the waters of Lake Lowell are a favorite for swimming, fishing and boating. The 20-acre park is located within the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, where mallards migrate, ospreys nest and humans take a break from digital connectivity to reengage with each other.
Hikers and mountain bikers will find their favorite paths within the woodlands outside the city. To the southwest lie the Owyhee Mountains, and within this intimidating terrain, the tallest point is Hayden Peak, whose summit is just over 8,400 ft. You’ll find higher summits in the Sawtooth National Forest, where Thompson Peak tops out at 10,751 ft. The real stars of this range, though, are the alpine lakes, formed by glacial melt into mirrored mountain wonders. When the mountains have frozen over, the snowy trails are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and daredevils can bring snowmobiles to designated areas for a winter thrill.
It’s hard to overestimate the importance of the Snake River to the Treasure Valley. Whether it’s for commerce or recreation, this body of water is the lifeblood of the bi-state region, and there are myriad ways to enjoy it. Anglers can look forward to reeling in everything from sturgeon to trout, but the favorite catch in Idaho is chinook salmon, which is poised to have a promising year in 2025, according to Idaho Fish & Game. These anadromous migrators are more prevalent in the waters to the north, like in Hells Canyon Dam on the Oregon Border. You can plan a week of camping and fishing along the Snake River Water Trail, which lives up to its name and slithers across the state.
Local Flavors
Nampa’s friendly, laid-back atmosphere makes local adventures relaxing and fun. The city’s terrific park system features two golf courses, horseback riding trails and even a budget-friendly water park to help you keep your cool on those hot days of summer in the Treasure Valley.
When you’re looking for bigger crowds, Nampa lines up a full calendar of events, from Viva Nampa — the city’s Hispanic cultural festival — to the Nampa Wine Festival. Summertime brings some of the area’s longtime favorites. In June, rodeo stars rear their horns at the Snake River Stampede, which got its start in 1915 as the “Buck Show” in the Nampa Harvest Festival. In August, it’s Nampa’s creatives who take center stage at the Nampa Festival of the Arts, which draws crowds of thousands to shop, eat and create one-of-a-kind objects to take home.
With the presence of the 124th Fighter Wing in Boise, Nampa’s Warhawk Air Museum has a special presence in the city. The institution was founded by two aviation afficionados in 1989, and their collection has grown since then to include many important aircraft and military memorabilia. Among the Warhawk’s most interesting planes is the Lockheed F-104A Starfighter, which was designed to outmaneuver the Russians’ supersonic interceptors but ultimately grounded due to its numerous design flaws. These included its wings, which were so thin they risked cutting ground crew members, and its downward-firing ejection seat, which was hazardous to pilots. The Warhawk also has an iconic, WWI Fokker DR-1 Triplane and the Boise Bee, a North American P-51C Mustang, flown by Boise’s own Lt. Col Duane W. Beeson.
Those interested in the region’s bygone days can peek back in time at the Indian Creek Museum, operated by the Canyon County Historical Society, where 10,000 objects from the mid-20th century will spark either nostalgia or wide-eyed horror at the way things were. The largest single item in the CCHS’ collection, though, is the Nampa Train Depot — a 120-year-old brick marvel that once received heavy traffic from the Union Pacific Railroad but now serves as the interpretive center for flocks of visitors, eager to learn about how the country’s rail network put this city on the map.
Eating Local
One thing you’ll never have to worry about in Nampa is finding a good place to eat. From longstanding mom and pops like LeBaron’s Honker Café — where the cinnamon rolls are made in-house from scratch — to newcomers like Calle, which has been bringing ceviche and aguachile to this land-locked region since 2023, Nampa residents can have a taste of it all.
In the mood for craft burgers? Hit Holy Cow! Their namesake burger will set you back $24, but when you consider that those two 1/3-lb. Wagyu patties are topped with a double order of bacon, cheese and sauce, and then smashed between two ghilled cheese sandwiches, it kinda seems like a bargain. Brick 29 puts a more elegant spin on comfort fare, sourcing bread from local bakeries like Gaston’s and Zeppole, and introducing unexpected flavors into traditional dishes, like the gorgonzola potato hash and tenderloin cobb salad.
When you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, the Flying M Coffee Garage will have you back up and running in no time. This local roaster has been pouring the best caffeinated beverages in the region since the mid-90s, and anyone homesick for the Seattle scene will be sated by their mondos, mochas and matchas — even your pup, who can order a special, house-made dog treat.
Canyon County may not be on every sommelier’s radar just yet, but the Sunnyslope Wine Trail aims to change that. 19 wineries make their home in the Snake River Valley AVA, and you’ll find impeccable vintages from well-established vineyards like Ste. Chapelle and Scoria, which take advantage of this unusual terroir to produce varietals from Petit Verdot to Chardonnay.
The Realities You Should Weigh In
A Quiet Town After Dark
While Nampa is certainly a welcoming place to live, it is not a hub of activity after dark. So, if you’re looking for a vibrant street scene, art galleries and live music into the wee hours, Nampa will not be the city for you. Most bars close at 11 or 12 p.m., though a handful keep the liquor flowing until 1 a.m. Late-night eats are largely restricted to 24-hour fast-food joints, but in our experience, most late-night drinkers aren’t looking for fine dining, anyway.
The Climate Factor
The semi-arid climate of the Mountain West certainly isn’t for everyone. Many people wrongly assume that living this far north will insulate them from the worst of summer’s heat, but the Treasure Valley is highly susceptible to extremes. In July and August, you should expect daily highs in the low 90s F, but prepare for the mercury to cruise well past 100°F, which it’s likely to do during the peak of summer and possibly even in June and September, too.
Being located in a valley can also cause air quality issues. Stagnant air between the mountain ranges can trap small, hazardous particulates, and these can be generated by even distant automobile pollution or wildfire smoke, an ever-increasing threat thanks to climate change.
Being in a valley has its advantages, though. Those scorching summer days are almost invariably followed by remarkably cool nights. And, you’ll never have to deal with the pesky humidity that plagues the coasts and central regions of the U.S. The mountain ranges also insulate Nampa and the Treasure Valley from the worst moods of winter, so the average annual snowfall totals only 17.6 inches and the average low is a tolerable 27° F.
Planning the Move to Nampa — How to Do It Right
Partner with a Professional Moving Company
If you’ve decided to move to Nampa, don’t leave anything to chance. Partnering with professional movers from United Van Lines can simplify your relocation, whether you’re making a long-distance move or a local one. Use these tips to research movers.
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Consider Going Full Service
Moving cross-country to Nampa, Idaho? United Van Lines offers full-service moving packages to streamline the moving process.
Standard full-service packages cover:
- A personal moving coordinator for your entire move
- Loading/unloading and transporting of your household belongings
- Standard furniture placement
- Standard transport of appliances (service disconnect/connect not included)
- Full-value protection (unless waived)
Want to make things even easier? Save time and reduce stress by adding customized moving services:
- Packing
- Unpacking
- Removal of moving debris
- Storage
- Car shipping
If you’re searching for a local mover in Idaho, our Nampa, Idaho, interstate agents/movers provide local moving services in the greater Nampa/Boise area independently under their own businesses and brands.
Get Expert Advice and Resources
If you’re like most people, you probably have a lot of questions about your upcoming move. And that’s why it’s good to have a team of experts to help you. You’ll find answers to all your toughest questions on our moving blog, with articles like Hiring Movers vs. Moving Yourself: Which is Best? and Agreeing on Where to Move: Tips for Landing in the Right Place. You’ll find our most recent recommendations in House Key magazine, and our website offers hundreds of guides to popular cities and states across the U.S.
Following United Van Lines’ week-by-week moving checklist will set you up for success. We’ll help you set a schedule for planning and packing that will keep you organized and in control of your move.
If you are looking for a professional mover you can trust, United Van Lines has almost 100 years of experience in the industry, earning the honor of being America’s #1 Mover®. See why millions of families have chosen United for their moves.
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