Cost of Living in Pocatello, ID
Pocatello, ID — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Pocatello, ID to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Pocatello, ID?
With a price level of 88.9 (U.S. average = 100), Pocatello, ID is one of the most affordable places in the country. In detail, housing costs are 34% 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 housing.
Prices in Pocatello, ID vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 88.9 | −11.1% |
| Housing | 66.4 | −33.6% |
| Goods | 96.2 | −3.8% |
| Utilities | 69.8 | −30.2% |
| Other services | 99.0 | −1.0% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Pocatello, ID
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $809 | $32,360/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $894 | $35,760/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,173 | $46,920/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,631 | $65,240/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,968 | $78,720/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Pocatello, 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 Pocatello, ID | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $35,600 | $30,006 |
| $60,000 | $53,300 | $43,290 |
| $80,000 | $71,100 | $56,189 |
| $100,000 | $88,900 | $67,768 |
| $150,000 | $133,400 | $96,483 |
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 Pocatello, ID's median wage of $45,160 takes home about $3,098 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $894, which is 29% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,204 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Pocatello, ID
- Federal income tax$3,239
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,800
- Medicare (1.45%)$655
- Idaho income tax$1,285
- Take-home pay$37,181
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.30% state
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.
Pocatello, ID vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello, ID | 88.9 | $894 | $45,160 | 38,290 |
| Victoria, TX | 89.8 | $1,153 | $43,050 | 38,120 |
| Corvallis, OR | 104.0 | $1,290 | $57,680 | 38,550 |
| Hot Springs, AR | 85.7 | $834 | $36,540 | 38,600 |
| Midland, MI | 91.9 | $925 | $49,340 | 37,300 |
| Watertown, NY | 87.7 | $1,071 | $47,600 | 39,330 |
| Grand Island, NE | 86.7 | $948 | $49,410 | 39,520 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Pocatello, ID expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Pocatello, ID metro area are 88.9% of the U.S. average, with housing at 66.4%. It is the #314 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Pocatello, ID?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $53,344 in Pocatello, ID (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $45,160.
Can you afford Pocatello, ID on the median wage?
A single worker on the $45,160 median wage takes home about $3,098 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $894 would take 29% of that.
How much is rent in Pocatello, ID?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Pocatello, ID are $809 for a studio, $894 for one bedroom, $1,173 for two bedrooms and $1,631 for three bedrooms, including utilities.