| Index | Idaho Falls | Idaho | National |
| Cost of living | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 102 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 94 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 102 | 105 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 102 | 101 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Idaho Falls can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Idaho Falls cost of living index is 99, which is 1% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in Idaho Falls aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Idaho Falls residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 46 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Idaho Falls. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 54% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 46% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Idaho Falls an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Idaho Falls is 2.2% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 16.1% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Idaho Falls has a median household income of $83,132, which is 2.2% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Idaho Falls, the utilities index is 1.9% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In Idaho Falls, the transportation index stands at 2.4% higher than the national average.
The Idaho Falls cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $106,003 | $8,834 | $2,473 | $3,180 |
| Renters | $55,414 | $4,618 | $1,293 | $1,663 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Idaho | 6% | 8.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Idaho | 5.8% | 5.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Firth, ID | 581 | 89 | 10.5% |
| Ririe, ID | 654 | 91 | 9.3% |
| Shelley, ID | 4,617 | 97 | 3.1% |
| Rigby, ID | 4,315 | 97 | 2.6% |
| Basalt, ID | 448 | 98 | 2.1% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 64,374 | 99 | 0.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Grand Junction, CO | 64,338 | 112 | 12.1% |
| La Habra, CA | 64,441 | 166 | 65.5% |
| Brentwood, NY | 64,448 | 129 | 29.5% |
| Waltham, MA | 64,477 | 164 | 63.5% |
| Montebello, CA | 64,503 | 156 | 56.0% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 64,374 | 99 | 0.8% |
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