Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Denver, CO's $1,760, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Idaho Falls?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Denver vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,760/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 $1,760 in Denver, CO versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 24% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$818

+45% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$827

+48% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$957

+51% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,278

+44% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$298,600

+49% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$69,630

+24% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$46,800

+25% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

33.5 yr

+1.7 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

49.1%

64.1%

+15.0 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

31.0%

+24.6 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

18.2 min

+7.2 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

365.3

+63% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

1,235.5

+74% in Denver, CO

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.2°F

44.2°F

+6.0°F in Denver, CO

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

10.4 in

+5.2 in in Denver, CO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.16/gal

$4.27/gal

+2% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Denver vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

14.4

+16% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$11.33

+25% in Denver, CO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / ID)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.30%

+0.9 pp in ID

Denver vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Denver, CO's $1,760, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Idaho Falls?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).