City vs city
Mountain Home vs Star, Idaho
Mountain Home and Star are close in size. They are about 56 miles apart in a straight line.
The basics
Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2024) · July 1, 2024 estimate
16,912
18,208
County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
Elmore County
Ada County
Elevation
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
3,100 ft
2,500 ft
Distance to Boise (straight line)
Source: Straight line between the two town centers (USGS and Census coordinates) · Checked Oct 3, 2026
42 mi
15 mi
Price level (U.S. average = 100)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities, all items, for the metro area (via FRED) · 2024 data, released Feb 19, 2026 · Towns outside a metro area use Idaho's statewide figure.
95.5
98.4
Public schools
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, operating public schools · 2024-25 school year
11
2
New homes
New home communities listed
Source: New home communities listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Sep 30, 2026
4
27
Builders with communities in town
Source: Builders named on the new home communities listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Sep 30, 2026
3
19
Work and getting around town
Open jobs listed
Source: Open jobs listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Sep 30, 2026
25
14
Local businesses listed
Source: Local businesses listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Oct 1, 2026
3
6
Outdoors
Trails within 15 miles
Source: Trails listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and public land agencies) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
18
118
Things to do within 15 miles
Source: Things to do listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and USGS) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
2
23
Allergies, in a typical year
Spring tree pollen
Source: National Allergy Bureau daily pollen counts, CDC release 2003 to 2024 (Boise, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene stations) · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page · Mountain Home uses the Boise station, 42 miles away.
Moderate
Moderate
Early-summer grass pollen
Source: The Allergy Group (Boise) grass counts; NAB station reports for North Idaho · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page · Mountain Home uses the Boise station, 42 miles away.
High
High
Fall weed and sagebrush pollen
Source: National Allergy Bureau daily pollen counts, CDC release 2003 to 2024 (Boise, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene stations) · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page · Mountain Home uses the Boise station, 42 miles away.
High
High
Wildfire smoke (days a year over AQI 100)
Source: EPA AirData: annual AQI by county · 2021 to 2025 average · Mountain Home has no air monitor in its county and uses Ada County.
High, 12.6
High, 12.6
Only figures both towns have are shown. Counts of communities, builders, jobs, businesses and stays are what Treasure Idaho lists today, not every one in town. Allergy ratings are typical, general guidance, not medical advice; each city page shows how its ratings were worked out.