What an Acre of Idaho Land Is Worth in 2026

If you’ve ever pictured yourself owning a slice of the Gem State—whether that’s irrigated cropland on the Snake River Plain or a wide-open pasture outside town—you’re asking the right question: what is one acre of land worth in Idaho right now?

The most accurate answer depends on what kind of land you mean (cropland, pasture, recreation, or development), where it sits, and what it can produce. The good news: today’s land data is detailed enough to help you benchmark value with confidence.

Idaho land values in 2025: the headline number to know

Idaho cropland values have moved sharply upward in recent years. According to RFD-TV (citing USDA 2025 Land Value Report), Idaho cropland averaged $9,600 per acre in 2025, up 2.7% from 2024. That figure is especially useful if you’re evaluating productive acreage where farm income potential drives pricing.

How Idaho compares to the U.S. land market (context that matters)

Even if you’re only shopping in Idaho, national benchmarks help you sanity-check pricing, financing assumptions, and rent potential.

• According to USDA NASS Land Values 2025, farm real estate nationally averaged $4,350 per acre in 2025, up $180 (4.3%) from 2024.
• According to USDA NASS Land Values 2025, cropland nationally averaged $5,830 per acre in 2025, a 4.7% increase from 2024.
• According to USDA NASS Land Values 2025, pastureland nationally averaged $1,920 per acre in 2025, up $90 (4.9%) from 2024.

Put simply: Idaho cropland pricing sits well above the national cropland average, which often reflects the value of irrigated production, local demand, and competition for high-quality acreage.

What makes one acre worth more (or less) in Idaho?

Land value isn’t a single number—it’s the result of specific attributes buyers can verify. These are the core drivers appraisers, lenders, and serious buyers focus on.

1) Location and local demand

An acre near Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, or other growth corridors can price dramatically higher than an acre in a remote county. Proximity to jobs, services, highways, and airports increases demand and supports higher sale prices—especially when land can transition to residential or commercial use.

2) Land type and productivity (cropland vs. pasture vs. recreation)

Idaho is famous for potatoes, but its value story includes a broad mix of row crops, seed, forage, and specialty production. If the acre is productive cropland—especially irrigated—buyers typically pay for yield potential, soil quality, and reliable water access. Pasture and rangeland values tend to track carrying capacity, fencing, stock water, and access.

For regional pasture context, Ranchland (citing USDA NASS August 2025 Land Values Summary) reports that Mountain states pastureland averaged $946 per acre in 2025. That benchmark can help you compare Idaho grazing parcels—especially where improvements and water access vary widely.

3) Water rights, irrigation, and usable water delivery

In much of southern Idaho, water isn’t a bonus feature—it’s the value engine. Seniority, reliability, delivery infrastructure, and irrigated acres supported by the right all influence pricing. If you’re evaluating irrigated ground, it also helps to understand rental economics as a proxy for income potential.

4) Access, utilities, and buildability

Road frontage, winter access, power availability, and broadband can swing an acre’s value quickly. Remote parcels can cost less per acre, but they may require substantial investment to be usable—or financeable—depending on intended use.

5) Soil quality and topography

Flat, workable ground with proven soils is typically priced for efficiency and production. Steep, rocky, or heavily timbered terrain can still carry premium value for recreation, views, privacy, and hunting—just not for row-crop farming.

Cash rent benchmarks (useful for investors and working farms)

If you’re buying land to lease out—or you’re comparing purchase price to operating income—cash rent data offers a practical reference point. According to USDA NASS Land Values and Cash Rents 2025:

• Irrigated cropland rental rate nationally averaged $244 per acre in 2025 (down from $245 in 2024).
• Non-irrigated cropland rental rate nationally averaged $147 per acre in 2025 (up from $146 in 2024).
• Pastureland rental rate nationally averaged $15.50 per acre in 2025, unchanged from 2024.

These national averages won’t match every Idaho county, but they do help you evaluate whether a listing price aligns with realistic lease income—especially when combined with irrigation status and local crop economics.

Idaho agriculture trends that influence land demand

Land value follows land use. When acreage shifts between crops, it can signal changes in local economics, rotation needs, and demand for specific types of ground (including irrigated parcels and certain soil profiles).

• According to the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho sugar beet acres are projected at 169,000 in 2025, down from 173,000 in 2024.
• According to the Idaho Farm Bureau, Idaho planted corn acres are estimated at 390,000 in 2025, up from 380,000 in 2024.

For buyers, these shifts matter because they often correlate with irrigation demand, local processing capacity, and how aggressively producers compete for high-performing acres.

Regional differences: why “Idaho land” isn’t one market

Idaho values vary as much as its terrain. Think of the state as multiple micro-markets:

• Northern Idaho: Timber, lakes, recreation, and strong lifestyle demand can push per-acre prices higher—especially near Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.
• Southwestern Idaho: Boise-area growth drives development pressure, higher land competition, and stronger pricing for accessible parcels.
• Eastern Idaho: A mix of productive agriculture and expanding communities creates opportunities across both farm and residential land types.
• Central Idaho: Scenic mountain land ranges from premium recreation properties to more affordable, remote parcels where access and utilities determine value.

How to buy land in Idaho more intelligently

1. Verify the land type and revenue potential. Cropland, pasture, timber, and buildable acreage price differently—always compare “like with like.”
2. Confirm water rights and actual irrigated capability. In irrigated regions, make water due diligence a top priority.
3. Assess access and infrastructure costs early. A cheaper acre can become expensive if you must add roads, power, wells, or fencing.
4. Check zoning, easements, and future neighbors. What’s nearby—and what could be built nearby—can materially affect long-term value.
5. Use multiple acquisition paths. Traditional listings, auctions, and direct-to-seller options can all make sense depending on timing and certainty needs.

Selling Idaho land: what helps you get to a “yes” faster

Land often takes longer to sell than a home because buyers must evaluate more variables (water, soils, access, zoning, and feasibility). Clear documentation—survey info, legal access, water documentation where applicable, and a straightforward marketing package—reduces buyer friction and can support stronger pricing.

Some sellers also choose to work with land-buying companies for speed and simplicity. That approach typically trades top-dollar pricing for certainty and a faster closing timeline.

Bottom line: how much is an acre worth in Idaho?

One acre in Idaho can be “worth” very different numbers depending on whether it’s irrigated cropland, grazing ground, recreational land, or development-ready property. If you’re evaluating agricultural ground, the newest statewide benchmark shows just how valuable productive acres have become: Idaho cropland averaged $9,600 per acre in 2025, according to RFD-TV (citing USDA 2025 Land Value Report).

From there, dial in value by matching the parcel to its true category, verifying water and access, and comparing against both local comps and national reference points like the USDA NASS Land Values 2025 land and rent benchmarks.