Cost of Living in Idaho Falls, ID
Idaho Falls, ID — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Idaho Falls, ID to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Idaho Falls, ID?
With a price level of 94.4 (U.S. average = 100), Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 16% below average; everyday goods are 4% below average; utilities are 30% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Idaho Falls, ID vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.4 | −5.6% |
| Housing | 84.0 | −16.0% |
| Goods | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| Utilities | 69.7 | −30.3% |
| Other services | 99.0 | −1.0% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Idaho Falls, ID
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,034 | $41,360/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,095 | $43,800/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,305 | $52,200/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,815 | $72,600/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,189 | $87,560/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Idaho Falls, ID
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Idaho Falls, ID | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $37,800 | $31,657 |
| $60,000 | $56,600 | $45,767 |
| $80,000 | $75,500 | $59,051 |
| $100,000 | $94,400 | $71,345 |
| $150,000 | $141,600 | $101,653 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Idaho 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Idaho Falls, ID's median wage of $46,800 takes home about $3,201 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,095, which is 34% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,106 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Idaho Falls, ID
- Federal income tax$3,436
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,902
- Medicare (1.45%)$679
- Idaho income tax$1,372
- Take-home pay$38,412
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.30% state
Highest-paying jobs in Idaho Falls, ID
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Manager | $80,380 | $62,225 | $65,908 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aide | $34,050 | $28,843 | $30,550 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $28,680 | $24,813 | $26,281 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Idaho cities
Half of Idaho’s 857,440 workers earn less than $47,970 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $36,660–$72,320 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Lewiston, ID stretches a paycheck furthest, while Logan, UT is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $49,100 | 98.4 | $1,369 | 41% | $1,976 | $40,794 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $46,800 | 94.4 | $1,095 | 34% | $2,106 | $40,685 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $47,750 | 98.3 | $1,302 | 40% | $1,958 | $39,804 |
| Logan, UT | $46,360 | 95.9 | $946 | 30% | $2,227 | $39,698 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $45,400 | 92.1 | $980 | 31% | $2,133 | $40,562 |
| Pocatello, ID | $45,160 | 88.9 | $894 | 29% | $2,204 | $41,820 |
| Lewiston, ID | $48,300 | 91.2 | $931 | 28% | $2,364 | $43,371 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Idaho Falls, ID vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 94.4 | $1,095 | $46,800 | 81,840 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 98.0 | $1,623 | $43,850 | 81,920 |
| Johnson City, TN | 87.9 | $893 | $43,480 | 81,690 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 90.2 | $937 | $45,040 | 82,160 |
| Odessa, TX | 93.9 | $1,269 | $48,590 | 80,910 |
| Greenville, NC | 88.4 | $896 | $46,560 | 80,770 |
| Houma, LA | 85.1 | $904 | $45,610 | 83,440 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Idaho Falls, ID expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Idaho Falls, ID metro area are 94.4% of the U.S. average, with housing at 84.0%. It is the #177 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Idaho Falls, ID?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $56,647 in Idaho Falls, ID (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $46,800.
Can you afford Idaho Falls, ID on the median wage?
A single worker on the $46,800 median wage takes home about $3,201 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,095 would take 34% of that.
How much is rent in Idaho Falls, ID?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Idaho Falls, ID are $1,034 for a studio, $1,095 for one bedroom, $1,305 for two bedrooms and $1,815 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Idaho Falls, ID
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $80,380
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,050
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,680