NAICS 44-45

Retail Trade in Lewiston, ID

Metro Market Score 52.5 (Challenging), ranked #168 of 378 metros. 234 establishments, 3,514 jobs.

Metro Market Assessment

Metro Market Score 52.5
Favorable 0-35
Moderate 35-48
Challenging 48-60
Difficult 60+
Challenging

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national retail trade average.

💰High-Cost Market📈Rapid Growth

Lewiston stands out for high retail trade labor costs. Wage competitiveness hits 79.1 (above the 70th percentile of metros), and year-over-year wage pressure at 65.8 signals continued increases. Plan for higher payroll if entering this market.

Industry Concentration
69.6
LQ: 1.22
Rank #263 of 378 metros
Wage Competitiveness
79.1
$41,267 avg wage
Growth Trend
↑ 92.6
Employment growth index
Rank #29 of 378 metros
Wage Pressure
65.8
YoY wage change index

234 Retail Trade Firms in Lewiston

234
Establishments
+2.6% YoY
3,514
Total Employment
+3.1% YoY
$41,267
Average Annual Wage
+0.8% YoY
1.22
Location Quotient
Above national avg

Lewiston vs Idaho Statewide

How this metro's retail trade market compares to Idaho overall. The state ranks #12/51 for entry risk.

Measure Lewiston ID Statewide
Overall Score 52.5 Challenging 40.1 Moderate
Score Type Metro Market Score Entry Risk Score
Rank #168 of 378 metros #12 of 51 states

Metro and state scores use different methodologies (metro has 4 QCEW-based metrics; state adds BDS survival and momentum data). Direct score comparisons are approximate.

Other Industries in Lewiston

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 20.8 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 21.1 Information 40.2 Finance and Insurance 44.5 Construction 48.3 Other Services 49.2 Accommodation and Food Services 58.7

Retail Trade in Other Idaho Metros

Idaho Falls 50.3 #144/378 Boise City 51.5 #156/378 Twin Falls 51.8 #162/378 Pocatello 53.0 #176/378 Coeur d'Alene 78.6 #373/378

About Metro Market Score: A weighted composite of industry concentration (25%), wage competitiveness (25%), wage pressure (20%), and employment growth trend (30%). Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. For Lewiston's retail trade sector, the wage competitiveness component (79.1) has the strongest pull on the composite. Metro scores use QCEW data only (no BDS survival data at metro level). Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: April 2026.