| Index | Lewiston | Idaho | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 103 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 101 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 101 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Lewiston 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 Lewiston cost of living index is 102, which is 2% higher 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 Lewiston is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 9 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Lewiston and this is how they responded. 33% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 67% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if Lewiston is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Lewiston, for example, the median home price is 14.9% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 23.8% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Lewiston boasting a median household income of $80,306, which is 1.3% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Lewiston, the healthcare costs are 1.5% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Lewiston, is 3.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
The Lewiston cost of living estimates above use a normalized U.S. average of 100 as the baseline for comparison. Housing values incorporate local home price and rental information from the U.S. Census, while all other estimates are AI-assisted and modeled using expected everyday expenses, local market trends, climate, and transportation-related cost pressures. The results are intended for practical 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 | $109,669 | $9,139 | $2,559 | $3,290 |
| Renters | $36,234 | $3,020 | $845 | $1,087 |
| 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. |
| Lapwai, ID | 1,340 | 90 | 9.7% |
| Clarkston, WA | 7,664 | 95 | 4.7% |
| Sweetwater, ID | 273 | 99 | 1.3% |
| Juliaetta, ID | 527 | 100 | 0.1% |
| West Clarkston-Highland, WA | 5,931 | 101 | 0.6% |
| Lewiston, ID | 33,803 | 102 | 2.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pueblo West, CO | 33,798 | 110 | 10.5% |
| Copperas Cove, TX | 33,796 | 90 | 9.6% |
| Helena, MT | 33,820 | 110 | 9.8% |
| Houma, LA | 33,829 | 94 | 6.5% |
| LaSalle, ON | 33,838 | n/a | |
| Lewiston, ID | 33,803 | 102 | 2.3% |
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