Is it cheaper to live in Concord or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Concord versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Concord or Idaho Falls?

Concord is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Concord vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/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 $1,410 in Concord, NH versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Concord, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,701 in Concord, NH and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 17% higher in Concord, NH. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Concord, NH

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$876

$818

+7% in Concord, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,134

$827

+27% in Concord, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,475

$957

+35% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,769

$1,278

+28% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$323,700

$298,600

+8% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$83,701

$69,630

+17% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$46,800

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.7 yr

33.5 yr

+7.2 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

57.4%

64.1%

+6.7 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.1%

31.0%

+9.1 pp in Concord, NH

Avg Commute

23.2 min

18.2 min

+5.0 min in Concord, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

180.7

365.3

+102% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

1,251.5

1,235.5

+1% in Concord, NH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.4°F

44.2°F

+2.2°F in Concord, NH

Annual Precipitation

40.6 in

10.4 in

+30.2 in in Concord, NH

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)

27.0

14.4

+47% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.67

$11.33

+48% in Concord, NH

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 Concord, NH

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 (NH / ID)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.30%

+5.3 pp in ID

Concord vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Concord or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Concord, NH's $1,410, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Concord than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Concord versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Concord or Idaho Falls?: Concord is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no 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).