Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 14% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$818
+36% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$827
+40% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$957
+43% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,278
+29% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$298,600
+31% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$69,630
+14% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$46,800
+15% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
33.5 yr
+5.8 yr in Idaho Falls, ID
Homeownership
45.6%
64.1%
+18.5 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
31.0%
+46.7 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
18.2 min
+1.7 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
365.3
+17% in Idaho Falls, ID
Property Crime
1,744.5
1,235.5
+29% in Ann Arbor, MI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.7°F
44.2°F
+3.5°F in Ann Arbor, MI
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
10.4 in
+22.4 in in Ann Arbor, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$4.27/gal
+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
14.4
+37% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$11.33
+43% in Ann Arbor, MI

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.82
+12% in Idaho Falls, ID
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$2.04
+23% in Idaho Falls, ID
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Ann Arbor, MI
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$7.36
+9% in Idaho Falls, ID
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.01
+4% in Ann Arbor, MI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / ID)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
5.30%
+1.0 pp in ID

Ann Arbor vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Idaho Falls?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Idaho Falls?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).