B-
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
0%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
14%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Moscow Idaho National
Cost of living10896100
Goods & Services100101100
Groceries111101100
Health care11299100
Housing11488100
Transportation118105100
Utilities9786100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Moscow, ID

Understanding the cost of living in Moscow 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 Moscow cost of living index is 108, which is 8% 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 Moscow is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services 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.

Groceries are getting more expensive by the day and the cost of groceries makes up 13% of the overall cost of living index. In the past two years, prices have shot up by over 10%! Unfortunately, in Moscow, it's the same story – grocery costs are 10.8% higher than what people pay across the country.

Is Moscow Affordable?

Is Moscow an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Moscow, the median home price is 30.2% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 23.9% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Moscow come in at $42,262, which is 23.6% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Moscow?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Moscow, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6%, and income tax rates start at 1.125%.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Moscow, healthcare costs are 11.6% higher than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Moscow, the housing index stands at 14% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Moscow displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Moscow is 12% higher than the Idaho average
  • The cost of living in Moscow is 8% higher than the national average
  • Moscow housing is 14% higher than the national average
  • Idaho general sales tax is 18% higher than the national average
  • Idaho state income tax is 50% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Moscow

See all the best places to live around Moscow

Compare Moscow, ID Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$85,248$7,104$1,989$2,558
      Renters$28,485$2,374$665$855
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Moscow, ID, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Moscow, the median monthly income is $85,248 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $1,989 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $28,485, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $665 on monthly rental expenses.

      Idaho Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Idaho 6% 8.5%

      Idaho Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Idaho 1.125% 6.5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Moscow National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.83$24.2614.7%
      Beauty Salon $51.82$45.5613.7%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.29$1.280.6%
      Movie $14.89$12.1322.7%
      Bowling $23.19$18.0028.8%

      Groceries

      Item Moscow National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.22$1.5741.0%
      Milk $4.92$4.675.3%
      Potatoes $4.89$4.930.9%
      Pizza $11.23$12.097.1%
      Beer $11.57$10.4111.1%

      Health Care

      Item Moscow National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $165.73$125.6831.9%
      Doctor $168.55$135.7824.1%
      Dentist $118.01$113.294.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.49$10.657.9%
      Lipitor $477.18$468.601.8%

      Housing

      Item Moscow National avg. Difference
      Home Price $240,500.00$184,700.0030.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,282.29$2,346.692.7%
      Apartment Rent $722.00$949.0023.9%

      Transportation

      Item Moscow National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.30$3.4624.2%
      Tire Balancing $60.58$59.921.1%

      Utilities

      Item Moscow National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $178.20$193.998.1%
      Phone $201.25$192.254.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Princeton, ID1231054.7%
      Onaway, ID205954.9%
      Albion, WA677990.8%
      Potlatch, ID8361000.3%
      Palouse, WA9691000.1%
      Moscow, ID25,6521087.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Madison, MS25,65011010.2%
      Fairland, MD25,64913231.7%
      Ruskin, FL25,640991.4%
      South Portland, ME25,66511919.1%
      Soledad, CA25,66714040.2%
      Moscow, ID25,6521087.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.