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Cost to drill a well in Idaho: $7,500–$43,800 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Idaho typically costs $7,500–$43,800, with a midpoint of $22,300. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 200 ft across 31,778 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at national driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Key figures for Idaho

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $22,300) $7,500–$43,8001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $4,900–$32,9001,2,3,4,5
Median well depth (31,778 reports) 200 ft1
Middle half of wells 120 ft to 320 ft1
Drilling rate (national rates) $25–$75/ft2
Median casing depth 140 ft1
Median reported yield 25 gpm1

Estimate a well in Idaho

Typical total: $7,500–$43,800, midpoint $22,300.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Depths from 31,778 domestic well reports in Idaho, 2016–2025: 120 ft (25th percentile), 200 ft (median), 320 ft (75th percentile).

Low uses the 25th percentile depth at low rates; high uses the 75th percentile at high rates.
Line itemLowMidHigh
Drilling (per foot of depth) (200 ft × $50/ft)$3,000$10,000$24,0002
Casing, installed (140 ft × $28/ft)$1,200$3,900$6,3003
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5004
Well permit ($75–$75)$100$100$1005
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0006
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$1,800)$500$1,200$1,8006
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0007
Water quality test ($50–$50)$100$100$1008
Total$7,500$22,300$43,800

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Well depth by county in Idaho

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Idaho. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 600 ft
Canyon 3,125 170 110–240
Bonner 2,849 240 140–400
Kootenai 2,216 440 300–580
Jefferson 1,714 140 100–160
Valley 1,682 140 80–230
Ada 1,567 170 120–260
Twin Falls 1,321 220 160–300
Bingham 1,208 120 100–180
Teton 1,133 200 120–280
Fremont 1,104 210 140–300
Idaho 826 280 200–420
Bonneville 803 220 160–280
Latah 788 300 220–400
Gem 735 100 70–170
Madison 734 110 100–160
Bannock 717 200 160–290
Cassia 702 220 80–370
Benewah 621 320 250–450
Boise 574 280 200–400
Minidoka 572 100 40–190
Elmore 474 440 200–600
Payette 474 80 40–160
Boundary 473 300 160–450
Jerome 441 260 240–320
Owyhee 400 180 110–310
Franklin 375 250 140–360
Adams 372 260 180–360
Washington 361 110 40–220
Lemhi 358 120 40–240
Custer 356 100 70–180
Gooding 326 220 170–250
Blaine 321 140 80–210
Oneida 290 220 140–310
Clearwater 265 320 220–450
Caribou 225 190 130–250
Bear Lake 217 190 120–320
Nez Perce 214 350 210–560
Lewis 167 360 210–510
Shoshone 157 260 60–380
Camas 136 150 100–210
Lincoln 132 360 320–430
Power 125 220 180–320
Butte 105 140 100–240
Clark* 23 230 150–330

* 1 county has fewer than 30 reports. Estimates there use the statewide figures.

Median depth runs from 80 ft in Payette County to 440 ft in Kootenai County. At national rates that difference is worth about $23,800 at the midpoint estimate. 1 of 44 counties have fewer than 30 reports; the calculator uses the statewide figure for those.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Where the money goes on a Idaho well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $25–$75/ft, so the hole alone runs $3,000–$24,000 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $1,200–$6,300 at $10–$45/ft. Rig setup is a flat $600–$2,500.

The pump, pressure tank, and trench to the house add $2,500–$10,800 on top of the hole. A quote that looks low next to the range above often leaves those three out, so ask for it itemized.

Sources2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Permits and driller licensing in Idaho

Water wells in Idaho fall under Idaho Department of Water Resources. The well owner or driller must get a drilling permit from the Idaho Department of Water Resources before drilling. All wells must be built by a well driller who holds a valid license from the Idaho Department of Water Resources. The driller submits a driller's report to the department within 30 days after the drill rig is removed from the site at completion of the well. The permit or filing fee runs $100.

Sources9,10,5

Groundwater and well construction in Idaho

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 140 ft Total depth about 200 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 200 ft well with casing to 140 ft, the Idaho median

Idaho spans the Snake River Plain, where USGS maps basaltic-rock and unconsolidated-deposit aquifers, and other basins described in the Idaho, Oregon and Washington chapter.

A well at the Idaho median reaches 200 ft with casing to about 140 ft.

Sources11,1

Idaho compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Idaho200 ft$7,500–$43,800
Montana170 ft$6,700–$43,900
Nevada230 ft$9,800–$46,500
Oregon190 ft$7,200–$43,300
Utahno records$6,800–$42,500
Washington170 ft$17,300–$55,800
Wyoming240 ft$6,800–$52,600

Sources12,2,3,4,13,6,7,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Idaho?

Half of the 31,778 domestic wells reported in Idaho from 2016–2025 are between 120 ft and 320 ft deep, and the median is 200 ft. Your county can sit well above or below that, so check the county table on this page before you compare quotes.

How much does it cost per foot to drill a well in Idaho?

Drilling alone runs $25–$75/ft on the rates we compiled. Spread across a whole finished well, including casing, pump, tank, and hookup, the midpoint estimate works out to about $112/ft at a depth of 200 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

Do you need a permit to drill a well in Idaho?

The well owner or driller must get a drilling permit from the Idaho Department of Water Resources before drilling. Expect a fee of $100. The driller usually files the paperwork, but the permit is tied to your property, so ask for a copy.

How much do a well pump and pressure tank add in Idaho?

An installed submersible pump with wire and drop pipe runs $1,000–$4,000, and a pressure tank with its switch runs $500–$1,800. Together they are often the line items missing from a drilling quote, so a quote for the hole alone will look $3,700 cheaper than a finished well.

Related pages

For every state side by side and the national range, see our national cost table.

Sources

  1. Wells , Idaho Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. Water Well Installation: Complete Guide, Cost and Tips for Success , Stevens Drilling (La Vernia, TX). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2025-10-27. Drilling $25-$65/ft; pumps $500-$2,000; pressure tank $300-$1,500; permit/licensing $100-$750; total $7,500-$17,000+.
  3. Cost to Drill a Water Well in Northern California , Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. (Sebastopol, CA). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-04-30. Drilling $35-$130/ft; steel casing $20-$45/ft; pump and pressure tank $3,500-$9,000; permitting $500-$2,500.
  4. D-203(5) Statewide Drilling Services, Exhibit D Price Schedule (Thein Well Co., contract 226711) , Minnesota Office of State Procurement. Accessed November 8, 2026. 2023 state-contract unit rates from a licensed MN driller: 6-in borehole $30-$31/ft (mud rotary/auger), $75/ft air rotary in rock; 6-in casing $28/ft (code) to $48/ft (black steel); mobilization $1,000/project; 34-gal pressure tank installed $1,000, 62-gal $1,450; submersible pump 3/4-1 hp $1,250-$1,350 each; drop pipe $7/ft; pitless and lateral $2,000; trench $20/LF. Agency-buyer rates, not retail quotes.
  5. Idaho Code 42-235 Drilling Permits , Idaho Legislature. Accessed November 8, 2026. $75.00 permit charge for a domestic or monitoring well; $200 otherwise. Confirmed by IDWR Form 235-1 (https://idwr.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/forms/235-1-application-for-drilling-permit.pdf).
  6. How Much Does a Well Pressure Tank Cost? , Mid Atlantic Water LLC (water-system supplier, nationwide). Accessed November 8, 2026. Updated 2026-10-14; prices live as of 2026-09. Tank replaced by plumber $800-$1,800 all-in (20-44 gal); labor $200-$500; submersible pump job $1,000-$2,500; tank plus pump $2,500-$5,000+. Supplier, not an installer.
  7. What Are the Cost Factors of Drilling a Santa Fe Water Well? , Boylan Water Well Service (Santa Fe, NM). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-06-25. Drilling incl. PVC casing $28-$65/ft; submersible pump $850-$2,500; casing and grouting $1,500-$4,000; pressure tank and controls $500-$1,800; electrical hookup and trenching $1,000-$3,500; permits and lab testing $300-$1,000; turn-key $12,000-$30,000+.
  8. Drinking Water Quality Fees (July 2026) , Central District Health (Boise, ID). Accessed November 8, 2026. Coliform test $20; nitrate test $21; sample collection by CDH $145.
  9. Wells Overview , Idaho Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026. Statement taken from search result text; page not opened in full.
  10. IDAPA 37.03.10, Well Driller Licensing Rules , Idaho Department of Water Resources. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  11. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 7 (HA 730-H): Idaho, Oregon, Washington , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  12. Ground Water Information Center (GWIC) , Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  13. Form 613 Water Right Fee Schedule, effective 2025-10-01 , Montana DNRC Water Resources Division. Accessed November 8, 2026. Form 602 Notice of Completion of Groundwater Development (35 gpm / 10 ac-ft exempt well) $250.00; $400.00 in a Controlled Groundwater Area; Form 602I Notice of Intent (effective 01/2026) $400.00 (https://dnrc.mt.gov/_docs/water/Water-Rights-Forms/602I.pdf).
  14. Environmental Laboratory Testing Fee Schedule, effective 2024-01-01 , Montana DPHHS Laboratory Services Bureau. Accessed November 8, 2026. Total coliform P/A $25.00; nitrate+nitrite as N $28.00; Basic Screen package $55.00; Full Well Screen $340.00.
  15. Well Driller Reports , Nevada Division of Water Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  16. Compilation of fetched state and county well permit fees (research/rates/NOTES.md, section permit) , costtodrillawell.com research. Accessed November 8, 2026. Internal compilation used only for the national permit fallback. Component sources: ok-owrb-well-driller-fact-sheet ($0), fl-nwfwmd-well-fees through fl-manatee-water-wells-2026 ($35-$265), ny-dutchess-dbch-fees ($45), wi-dnr-well-notification ($50.50), ga-pierce-well-permit-2024 ($70), idaho-code-42-235 ($75), crs-37-92-602 ($100), az-ars-45-596 ($100-$150), nmac-19-27-5 ($125), wa-rcw-18-104-055 ($200), nc-wayne-private-wells through nc-gaston-eh-fees ($225-$450), mi-grand-traverse-fees-2026 and mi-delta-menominee-fees-2025 ($240-$334), mt-dnrc-form-613-2025 ($250-$400), pa-chester-county-health-fees ($300), mn-stat-103i-208 ($325), oh-logan-fees-2024 through oh-summit-fees-2025 ($350-$594), or-hb2808-2025 ($490), blanco-pedernales-gcd-fees-2025 ($500), ca-calaveras-fees-2026 ($693), ny-nyc-well-water-permit ($1,090 outlier).
  17. DSHS Austin Laboratory Fee Schedule, effective 2026-09-01 , Texas Department of State Health Services. Accessed November 8, 2026. Potable Water (coliform) MZZ0441A $18.39; Nitrate-N EZZ0048A $30.00; Routine Water Mineral Group $155; All Metals $165; VOCs $150.
  18. Well Log Query , Oregon Water Resources Department. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  19. Default casing share of well depth , Cost to Drill a Well. Accessed November 9, 2026. Median of state casing_p50 / depth_p50 across states that report casing. Used only where no local casing median exists.
  20. Enrolled House Bill 2808 (2025), amending ORS 537.762 and 537.753 , Oregon Legislative Assembly. Accessed November 8, 2026. Start card for construction of a new well: fee of [$350] $490; landowner's permit (owner-drilled) [$500] $550. Effective 2025-07-17 per OWRD (https://www.oregon.gov/owrd/programs/GWWL/WCC/Pages/House-Bill-2808.aspx).
  21. Testing Recommendations (Domestic Well Safety Program) , Oregon Health Authority. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Typical accredited-lab prices: coliform and E. coli $20-$40; nitrate $20-$40; arsenic $25-$45.
  22. National depth distribution, median of state percentiles , Cost to Drill a Well. Accessed November 9, 2026. Median across states with records of each state's 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile depth.
  23. Well Reports , Washington State Department of Ecology. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  24. Well Drilling Cost in Washington: 2026 Price Guide , Wenatchee Well Pros (pump and water-system installer, Wenatchee, WA; does not drill). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-07-02. Soft formation $45-$65/ft; basalt $65-$95/ft; installed 6-inch steel casing $55-$90/ft; pump systems $4,500-$7,500 (200 ft) to $8,000-$12,000 (over 400 ft); mobilization $500-$2,500; trenching and hookup $1,500-$5,000; water testing $150-$400; 200-ft well complete $18,000-$25,000. Not a licensed driller; weaker evidence.
  25. RCW 18.104.055 Well construction fees , Washington State Legislature. Accessed November 8, 2026. 2005 c 84. Fee for one water well with top casing under 12 inches $200; 12 inches or greater $300; paid with the notice of intent to Ecology (https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/reporting-requirements/well-construction-notice-of-intent adds a 3 percent card fee).
  26. Water Lab , Thurston County Public Health & Social Services (WA). Accessed November 8, 2026. 2025 schedule. Total coliform and E. coli P/A $32; nitrate $32.
  27. Well and spring permits , Wyoming State Geological Survey (from Wyoming State Engineer's Office permits). Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.

How these figures are built: methodology. Updated November 2026.