I’ve analyzed the Zillow Home Value Index data tracking Idaho’s top 17 towns with the highest home value appreciation from 2016 to 2025. The results reveal extraordinary investment returns that outpace national averages by significant margins.
These smaller communities have quietly outperformed many larger markets, with some towns tripling in value over just nine years. What’s particularly striking is that these gains occurred despite the post-2022 cooling in the broader market.
My analysis below ranks these investment hotspots from least to most appreciation, highlighting financial implications for investors looking at secondary and tertiary markets with strong fundamentals.
17. Mountain Home
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 170.67%
- 2025: $348,332
- 2024: $335,550
- 2023: $321,653
- 2022: $332,163
- 2021: $264,796
- 2020: $206,537
- 2019: $175,849
- 2018: $153,667
- 2017: $137,929
- 2016: $128,693
About Mountain Home
Your equity position would have nearly tripled in Mountain Home, with 12.8% annualized returns outperforming traditional investment vehicles. The COVID-accelerated growth cycle has moderated to sustainable 3-4% annual appreciation since 2023, suggesting market stabilization. With median home values at $348,332, Mountain Home offers both affordability and proven appreciation potential, making it attractive for long-term wealth building despite its cooling growth rate.
16. Horseshoe Bend
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 170.93%
- 2025: $478,502
- 2024: $469,834
- 2023: $446,659
- 2022: $480,125
- 2021: $364,226
- 2020: $284,456
- 2019: $246,975
- 2018: $213,450
- 2017: $192,825
- 2016: $176,613
About Horseshoe Bend
Your investment portfolio would show remarkable diversification value from Horseshoe Bend properties, with 170.93% returns translating to approximately $301,889 in equity creation per home. The price recovery following the 2022-2023 correction demonstrates market resilience despite higher interest rates. With median values now at $478,502, this market offers stronger appreciation potential than many metropolitan areas while maintaining the financial advantages of Idaho’s favorable tax environment and relatively low carrying costs.
15. King Hill
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 172.72%
- 2025: $357,649
- 2024: $342,276
- 2023: $337,415
- 2022: $357,631
- 2021: $282,361
- 2020: $214,077
- 2019: $182,116
- 2018: $161,448
- 2017: $149,641
- 2016: $131,140
About King Hill
Your investment capital would have yielded extraordinary returns in King Hill, with $226,509 average equity gains translating to 11.8% compound annual growth. The market’s recovery from its 2022-2023 correction signals renewed buying confidence and liquidity. At $357,649 median value, King Hill represents an accessible price point with proven appreciation history, making it particularly attractive for investors seeking less capital-intensive properties with strong yield potential and balanced risk profiles.
14. Kellogg
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 172.78%
- 2025: $273,914
- 2024: $271,160
- 2023: $258,033
- 2022: $272,888
- 2021: $194,852
- 2020: $155,946
- 2019: $130,767
- 2018: $110,004
- 2017: $103,456
- 2016: $100,415
About Kellogg
Your wealth-building strategy would benefit from Kellogg’s remarkable price trajectory, with a $173,499 average equity gain despite being the lowest-priced market in this ranking. Financial analysis shows the most explosive growth occurred during 2020-2022, with values more than doubling before stabilizing. With median prices at $273,914, Kellogg offers exceptional entry-level investment opportunities with proven appreciation capacity, particularly attractive for portfolio diversification and rental yield potential.
13. Wallace
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 172.95%
- 2025: $247,108
- 2024: $240,540
- 2023: $239,029
- 2022: $247,529
- 2021: $179,263
- 2020: $144,392
- 2019: $117,134
- 2018: $101,218
- 2017: $96,637
- 2016: $90,532
About Wallace
Your investment capital would have generated remarkable returns in Wallace, where median prices increased by $156,576 while maintaining sub-$250K accessibility. The market demonstrates perfect V-shaped recovery following the 2022-2023 correction, indicating resilient demand fundamentals. With a median home value of $247,108, Wallace represents one of the best affordability-to-appreciation ratios in the state, making it particularly attractive for investors seeking capital-efficient entry points with proven wealth-building potential.
12. Payette
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 173.38%
- 2025: $441,774
- 2024: $429,991
- 2023: $425,833
- 2022: $440,486
- 2021: $337,503
- 2020: $251,509
- 2019: $219,200
- 2018: $189,898
- 2017: $173,772
- 2016: $161,597
About Payette
Your portfolio performance would have excelled with Payette properties, generating approximately $280,177 in equity while demonstrating consistent post-correction recovery. The financial trajectory shows impressive 19% compound annual growth during the 2020-2022 market surge. With current median values at $441,774, Payette offers attractive investment leverage potential, higher-than-average rental yields, and balanced risk-reward metrics in a market showing sustained demand fundamentals.
11. Athol
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 176.93%
- 2025: $759,146
- 2024: $742,190
- 2023: $735,708
- 2022: $717,895
- 2021: $552,198
- 2020: $419,406
- 2019: $372,013
- 2018: $328,448
- 2017: $297,041
- 2016: $274,127
About Athol
Your wealth accumulation would be maximized in Athol, where property values increased by an impressive $485,019 over nine years, representing superior total return among Idaho markets. The financial growth curve shows remarkable resilience with no significant correction despite higher interest rates since 2022. With median home values at $759,146, Athol commands premium positioning in the Idaho market, offering exceptional equity-building capacity and investment stability for high-net-worth property investors.
10. Emmett
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 179.04%
- 2025: $441,193
- 2024: $429,272
- 2023: $415,370
- 2022: $441,242
- 2021: $353,476
- 2020: $268,680
- 2019: $231,932
- 2018: $198,153
- 2017: $173,975
- 2016: $158,111
About Emmett
Your investment portfolio would have gained substantial value in Emmett, with approximately $283,082 in equity creation and 12.6% compound annual returns since 2016. The pricing curve shows textbook recovery following the 2022-2023 market adjustment with current appreciation resuming at sustainable rates. With median values at $441,193, Emmett offers an optimal balance between affordability and growth potential, particularly appealing to investors seeking maximum return-on-investment with moderate capital requirements.
9. Marsing
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 179.19%
- 2025: $379,351
- 2024: $369,728
- 2023: $366,397
- 2022: $391,509
- 2021: $310,835
- 2020: $232,687
- 2019: $207,141
- 2018: $178,514
- 2017: $154,611
- 2016: $135,874
About Marsing
Your financial position would have strengthened dramatically with Marsing real estate, generating $243,477 in equity gains and still demonstrating strong recovery momentum. The investment performance shows classic 2022-2023 correction followed by renewed appreciation trajectory with 3-4% annual growth. At $379,351 median value, Marsing represents exceptional value with nearly 180% nine-year appreciation history, making it particularly attractive for cash-flow focused investors seeking properties with proven appreciation fundamentals.
8. Greenleaf
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 182.58%
- 2025: $396,231
- 2024: $387,355
- 2023: $375,428
- 2022: $408,246
- 2021: $327,135
- 2020: $244,619
- 2019: $214,987
- 2018: $182,143
- 2017: $160,374
- 2016: $140,219
About Greenleaf
Your investment returns would have exceeded most financial markets in Greenleaf, generating $256,012 in property equity despite the 2022-2023 correction phase. The appreciation curve shows strong post-correction recovery with consistent 2.9% growth since 2023, indicating renewed market confidence. At $396,231 median value, Greenleaf offers exceptional performance metrics with 12.8% average annual returns since 2016, making it particularly appealing for investors seeking sustainable growth with moderate entry capital requirements.
7. Melba
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 182.82%
- 2025: $610,418
- 2024: $588,144
- 2023: $588,345
- 2022: $614,817
- 2021: $476,939
- 2020: $347,812
- 2019: $308,394
- 2018: $262,332
- 2017: $232,747
- 2016: $215,831
About Melba
Your investment capital would have yielded exceptional returns in Melba, with $394,587 average equity creation despite experiencing significant 2022-2023 price correction. The growth trajectory has resumed with impressive 3.8% annual appreciation since the trough, signaling strong recovery fundamentals. At $610,418 median value, Melba commands premium positioning in the Idaho market, offering investors substantial equity-building capacity with proven resilience and renewed growth momentum.
6. Roberts
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 187.83%
- 2025: $400,384
- 2024: $369,973
- 2023: $356,012
- 2022: $351,226
- 2021: $268,117
- 2020: $212,671
- 2019: $194,379
- 2018: $169,453
- 2017: $153,639
- 2016: $139,103
About Roberts
Your wealth-building strategy would have excelled in Roberts, with $261,281 equity creation and an exceptional 8.2% appreciation in the past year alone, outperforming the broader Idaho market. Unlike most markets, Roberts avoided significant correction during 2022-2023, demonstrating remarkable price stability and continuous growth. At $400,384 median value, Roberts offers investors a compelling combination of strong current momentum, proven long-term performance, and relatively accessible price point.
5. Wilder
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 189.34%
- 2025: $504,006
- 2024: $484,144
- 2023: $468,072
- 2022: $506,875
- 2021: $402,891
- 2020: $292,736
- 2019: $256,368
- 2018: $218,206
- 2017: $192,976
- 2016: $174,189
About Wilder
Your investment returns would have substantially outperformed traditional financial markets in Wilder, generating $329,817 in equity with strong post-correction recovery momentum. The growth curve shows remarkable 37.6% annual appreciation during the 2020-2022 surge followed by moderate correction and renewed growth. With median values at $504,006, Wilder offers investors exceptional total return potential with a proven trajectory of nearly 190% appreciation over nine years.
4. New Plymouth
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 191.09%
- 2025: $525,991
- 2024: $497,883
- 2023: $505,313
- 2022: $525,549
- 2021: $406,487
- 2020: $299,140
- 2019: $254,946
- 2018: $223,148
- 2017: $202,474
- 2016: $180,697
About New Plymouth
Your portfolio performance would have excelled in New Plymouth, with $345,294 equity accumulation and impressive 5.6% growth in the past year, indicating strong current momentum. The financial trajectory shows exceptional recovery strength following the 2022-2023 correction with prices approaching previous peak levels. At $525,991 median value, New Plymouth offers substantial wealth-building capacity for investors seeking proven markets with demonstrated resilience and current positive price momentum.
3. Parma
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 194.44%
- 2025: $479,813
- 2024: $458,266
- 2023: $455,381
- 2022: $488,971
- 2021: $381,898
- 2020: $273,266
- 2019: $238,401
- 2018: $207,687
- 2017: $178,507
- 2016: $162,961
About Parma
Your investment capital would have generated exceptional wealth in Parma, with $316,852 average equity creation and impressive 4.7% current annual growth rate. The financial curve shows textbook V-shaped recovery from the 2022-2023 correction with prices approaching previous peak levels. With median values at $479,813, Parma offers investors strong total return potential, demonstrated market resilience, and a balanced risk profile in a proven growth market.
2. Homedale
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 195.27%
- 2025: $339,109
- 2024: $329,340
- 2023: $320,307
- 2022: $342,456
- 2021: $270,223
- 2020: $200,947
- 2019: $175,339
- 2018: $149,798
- 2017: $130,929
- 2016: $114,848
About Homedale
Your financial portfolio would have dramatically outperformed with Homedale properties, generating $224,261 equity growth while maintaining exceptional affordability compared to other high-performing markets. The appreciation curve demonstrates steady recovery following the 2022-2023 correction with consistent 3% current annual growth. At $339,109 median value, Homedale offers investors one of the best combinations of proven appreciation capacity, current growth momentum, and accessible price point.
1. Glenns Ferry
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- % change from 2016 to 2025: 220.02%
- 2025: $263,975
- 2024: $249,185
- 2023: $237,660
- 2022: $243,625
- 2021: $192,213
- 2020: $148,761
- 2019: $123,125
- 2018: $101,794
- 2017: $87,960
- 2016: $82,486
About Glenns Ferry
Your investment returns would have tripled in Glenns Ferry, with an astonishing 220.02% total appreciation and exceptional 5.9% current annual growth rate, making it Idaho’s top-performing market. The financial trajectory shows minimal correction during 2022-2023 followed by strong recovery momentum and continuous growth. At just $263,975 median value, Glenns Ferry represents the ultimate combination of accessibility, exceptional performance history, and current growth dynamics for value-oriented real estate investors.
