Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Houston versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Houston or Idaho Falls?

Houston is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax 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).

Houston vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Houston

Texas

$1,360/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 $1,360 in Houston, TX versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Houston, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,894 in Houston, TX and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 10% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Houston, TX

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,142

$818

+28% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,156

$827

+28% in Houston, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,375

$957

+30% in Houston, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,664

$1,278

+23% in Houston, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$253,400

$298,600

+18% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$62,894

$69,630

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,410

$46,800

+5% in Houston, TX

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

33.5 yr

+0.8 yr in Houston, TX

Homeownership

42.0%

64.1%

+22.1 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.0%

31.0%

+5.0 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

27.3 min

18.2 min

+9.1 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,153.8

365.3

+68% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

4,324.9

1,235.5

+71% in Houston, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

70.3°F

44.2°F

+26.1°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

54.6 in

10.4 in

+44.3 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.52/gal

$4.27/gal

+21% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Houston vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.9

14.4

+10% in Houston, TX

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.89

$11.33

+64% in Houston, TX

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 Houston, TX

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 (TX / ID)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.30%

+5.3 pp in ID

Houston vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Houston or Idaho Falls?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Houston than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Houston versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Houston or Idaho Falls?: Houston is taxed under Texas's rules (no state income tax 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).