Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Idaho Falls?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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).

Dover vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dover, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 16% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$993

$818

+18% in Dover, DE

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$827

+21% in Dover, DE

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$957

+19% in Dover, DE

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,278

+22% in Dover, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$298,600

+20% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$69,630

+19% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$46,800

+0% in Idaho Falls, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

33.5 yr

+1.6 yr in Dover, DE

Homeownership

47.0%

64.1%

+17.1 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

31.0%

+3.9 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Avg Commute

24.0 min

18.2 min

+5.8 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

365.3

+64% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

1,235.5

+80% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

44.2°F

+12.7°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

10.4 in

+35.7 in in Dover, DE

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)

19.3

14.4

+26% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$11.33

+62% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 (DE / ID)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

5.30%

+1.3 pp in DE

Dover vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Dover, DE's $1,270, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Idaho Falls?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% 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).