Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Madison?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $49,000 in Madison.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Madison?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Idaho Falls vs Madison Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Madison

Wisconsin

$1,420/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Idaho Falls, ID versus $1,420 in Madison, WI. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Madison, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $76,983 in Madison, WI — about 10% higher in Madison, WI. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Madison, WI

Rent

Studio

$818

$1,018

+24% in Madison, WI

1 Bedroom

$827

$1,219

+47% in Madison, WI

2 Bedroom

$957

$1,432

+50% in Madison, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,766

+38% in Madison, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$346,900

+16% in Madison, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$76,983

+11% in Madison, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$58,080

+24% in Madison, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

31.8 yr

+1.7 yr in Idaho Falls, ID

Homeownership

64.1%

46.6%

+17.5 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

59.2%

+28.2 pp in Madison, WI

Avg Commute

18.2 min

19.4 min

+1.2 min in Madison, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

259.5

+29% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

1,235.5

1,884.5

+53% in Madison, WI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.2°F

46.5°F

+2.3°F in Madison, WI

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

34.5 in

+24.1 in in Madison, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

19.6

+36% in Madison, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$18.17

+60% in Madison, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Madison, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Madison, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / WI)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

7.65%

+2.4 pp in WI

Idaho Falls vs Madison — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Madison?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Madison, WI's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Madison?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $49,000 in Madison.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Madison?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Madison under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).