| Index | Pocatello | Idaho | National |
| Cost of living | 95 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 78 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 105 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 101 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Pocatello? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Pocatello stands at 95, making it 5% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Pocatello closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Pocatello can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 33 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Pocatello. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 42% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 58% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Pocatello 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 Pocatello is 17.4% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 31.2% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Pocatello has a median household income of $69,315, which is 14.8% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Pocatello, healthcare costs are 0.9% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Pocatello, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6%, and income tax rates kick off at 5.8%.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Pocatello, the groceries index is 4.1% higher than the national average.
The Pocatello 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.
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| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $96,385 | $8,032 | $2,249 | $2,892 |
| Renters | $39,715 | $3,310 | $927 | $1,192 |
| 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. |
| Arbon Valley, ID | 917 | 93 | 7.3% |
| Fort Hall, ID | 2,812 | 93 | 7.0% |
| Inkom, ID | 967 | 96 | 3.6% |
| Chubbuck, ID | 15,783 | 101 | 1.3% |
| Tyhee, ID | 1,363 | 107 | 6.5% |
| Pocatello, ID | 57,833 | 95 | 5.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Valdosta, GA | 57,835 | 92 | 8.0% |
| Tamiami, FL | 57,787 | 127 | 26.7% |
| Dearborn Heights, MI | 57,763 | 92 | 8.0% |
| Tinley Park, IL | 57,746 | 110 | 10.4% |
| Diamond Bar, CA | 57,925 | 182 | 81.8% |
| Pocatello, ID | 57,833 | 95 | 5.3% |
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