Moscow

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Moscow, ID

Area Guide

Big city proximity awaits in this safe college town

Suburban Affordable Family-Friendly College Town

Moscow, Idaho, set in the rolling hills of the Palouse region, combines small-town living with a rich academic atmosphere. As home to the University of Idaho, the city has a population of around 25,435 residents. The rental market shows steady growth, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $836 per month, reflecting a 2.6% increase over the past year. Housing options range from apartments near campus to historic homes in neighborhoods like the Fort Russell Historic District, known for its preserved late 1800s architecture.

The city's cultural calendar features the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and a seasonal downtown Farmers Market operating May through October. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the Paradise Path and Bill Chipman Palouse Trail system. Moscow Mountain and the nearby cedar grove provide additional recreational opportunities. Downtown Main Street houses independent shops and the historic Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre. The University of Idaho, the state's oldest public university, enriches the community through research and cultural programming. The area's history includes an interesting detail: Moscow was initially called "Paradise Valley" when its first post office opened in 1872, a name still reflected in Paradise Creek, which flows through town.

Rent Trends

As of December 2025, the average apartment rent in Moscow, ID is $1,123 for a studio, $868 for one bedroom, $951 for two bedrooms, and $1,238 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Moscow has increased by 3.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$868/month
626 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Moscow, ID

Transportation

56

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

63

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

A.B. Mc Donald Elementary School

Public

Grades PK-5

354 Students

Lena Whitmore Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

236 Students

J Russell Elementary School

Public

Grades 3-5

143 Students

West Park Elementary School

Public

Grades K-2

173 Students

Moscow Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

498 Students

Moscow Senior High School

Public

Grades 9-12

769 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden
  • Charles R. Conner Museum
  • Palouse Discovery Science Center

Airports

  • Pullman/Moscow Regional
  • Lewiston/Nez Perce County

Top Apartments in Moscow

Houses for Rent in Moscow

Living in Moscow

Restaurants

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Moscow has a great selection of both American and ethnic eateries like any small college town. You can find menu options from tacos to waffles to sushi. The town has pizza places, pancake houses, burger joints, Asian fusion and traditional American diners. You will also find several of the big chain restaurants, including Arby’s, Subway Sandwiches, Burger King and Jack in the Box. If you are looking for something different, then Nectar Restaurant or Sangria Grill will be sure to whet your appetite. If you really like Asian fusion or Japanese food, Moscow has some great options including Red Bento, Tokyo Seoul, Chang Sing, or Old Peking.

Being a college town, Moscow has a thriving cultural and nightlife. Because of this, the number of college students has a strong influence on the area’s outdoor, entertainment, nighttime and cultural scenes. Generally, Moscow can be fairly quiet in the summer when school is out; however, the crush of incoming and returning students in autumn bring a lively hum to the city. The city’s arts community has garnered national acclaim. The Festival Dance, Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival, Renaissance Fair, Repertory Theatre, Artwalk, Rendezvous in the Park and the Prichard Art Gallery are reasons the town is nicknamed “Heart of the Arts.”

Moscow gives you a diverse selection of nightly entertainment including nightclubs, boutique breweries, theaters, old-fashioned saloons and cocktail bars. You will find The Angry Bear and Cadillac Jacks in Moscow. Other local hangouts include Bucer’s Coffeehouse Pub, Cougar Cottage, Garden Lounge, John’s Alleys, Mingles, Mix and Dupus Boomers. If something a little more elegant than an ice-cold brew is on your list, Nectar Wine Bar is open for wine tastings.

Parks

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Recreational and outdoor activities are very popular in the region. The Moscow area has mountains and foothills to explore, the Columbia River, dozens of lakes, some of the best fishing in the state, stunning scenery along verdant hiking trails, biking trails and almost unlimited boating opportunities. The big outdoors surrounds Moscow with the beauty of a natural landscape and a family, rural feeling, but the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a college town offers a great cultural escape.

Shopping

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You will find everything from boutiques that cater to the students to big box retailers. Moscow has a great shopping district called Palouse Mall that has Macy’s, Ross Dress for Less, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Old Navy. You will find Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Kmart, Kohl’s, and Dollar Tree in Moscow. However, if outdoor gear is on your shopping list, visit Hyperspud Sports for clothing and gear. In addition, if you drive a short distance to Pullman, Washington, you will find a Sears, Macy’s, and JC Penney.

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.