Rents are 11% above what Garden City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,930 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Garden City is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in December 2022.
Rent in Garden City changed +12.9% over the year to September 2026. Across the 18 Idaho cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.9%.
Rent has risen 13 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($70,124) is $1,753 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,260).
Nampa, 18 miles away, rents for 14% less ($1,668/mo), about $3,100 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Garden City. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Garden City, ID is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 39.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Garden City, ID has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Garden City, ID stood at $1,663 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,930, reflecting a 16.1% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in Garden City, ID now reports about $70,124, up from $54,540 in 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 5.0% since 2021, moving from about 12,056 residents to roughly 12,654. Renters now make up 36.9% of households, compared with 35% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 39.2% of adults here, versus 34% in 2021. For context, the 2023 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Garden City, ID reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Garden City on your salary?
At $1,930/mo, how Garden City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Garden City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Garden City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Garden City
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Garden City is $1,930/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,697/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,302/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,456/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,260/mo.
At 33% of local median household income ($70,124/yr), Garden City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.9% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Garden City?
Is rent going up or down in Garden City?
How does Garden City rent compare to other cities in Idaho?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Garden City?
At $1,930/mo, rent takes ~33% of Garden City's median household income ($70,124/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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