Living Cost Compare
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

vs
New York City

New York

$2,010/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 $2,010 in New York City, NY. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 52% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 13% higher in New York City, NY. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent

Studio
$818
$1,633
+100% in New York City, NY
1 Bedroom
$827
$1,705
+106% in New York City, NY
2 Bedroom
$957
$1,781
+86% in New York City, NY
3 Bedroom
$1,278
$2,065
+62% in New York City, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$298,600
$751,700
+152% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income
$69,630
$79,713
+14% in New York City, NY
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,800
$61,430
+31% in New York City, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.5 yr
38.0 yr
+4.5 yr in New York City, NY
Homeownership
64.1%
32.8%
+31.3 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
31.0%
41.0%
+10.0 pp in New York City, NY
Avg Commute
18.2 min
40.6 min
+22.4 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
365.3
694
+90% in New York City, NY
Property Crime
1,235.5
2,415.4
+95% in New York City, NY

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
55.0°F
+10.8°F in New York City, NY
Annual Precipitation
10.4 in
49.9 in
+39.5 in in New York City, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$4.08/gal
+4% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$3.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
29.5
+105% in New York City, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$27.01
+138% in New York City, NY

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
$1.92
+6% in Idaho Falls, ID
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in Idaho Falls, ID
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in New York City, NY
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / NY)
6%
4%
+2.0 pp in ID
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
10.90%
+5.6 pp in NY

Idaho Falls vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or New York City?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below New York City, NY's $2,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in New York City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or New York City?
Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).