Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Idaho Falls?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Idaho Falls?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Boston vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 58% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 27% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$818

+57% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$827

+58% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$957

+56% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,278

+43% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$298,600

+58% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$69,630

+27% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$46,800

+30% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

33.5 yr

+0.3 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

35.4%

64.1%

+28.7 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

31.0%

+23.1 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

18.2 min

+12.0 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

365.3

+42% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

1,235.5

+39% in Boston, MA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

44.2°F

+7.3°F in Boston, MA

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

10.4 in

+33.4 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.07/gal

$4.27/gal

+5% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Massachusetts vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.6

14.4

+51% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.66

$11.33

+63% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / ID)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

5.30%

+3.7 pp in MA

Boston vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 58% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Idaho Falls?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).