Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Columbus, GA's $1,090, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Idaho Falls?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/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 $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 19% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$826

$818

+1% in Columbus, GA

1 Bedroom

$875

$827

+5% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$957

+3% in Columbus, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,278

+5% in Idaho Falls, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$298,600

+64% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$69,630

+23% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$46,800

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

33.5 yr

+1.6 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

64.1%

+13.9 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

31.0%

+1.3 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.2 min

+2.0 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

365.3

+40% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,235.5

+46% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

44.2°F

+21.5°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

10.4 in

+36.4 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

14.4

+12% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$11.33

+71% in Columbus, GA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbus, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.30%

+0.1 pp in ID

Columbus vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Columbus, GA's $1,090, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Idaho Falls?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).