Living Cost Compare
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

vs
Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 8% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID
Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio
$818
$1,109
+36% in Pittsburgh, PA
1 Bedroom
$827
$1,079
+30% in Pittsburgh, PA
2 Bedroom
$957
$1,269
+33% in Pittsburgh, PA
3 Bedroom
$1,278
$1,450
+13% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$298,600
$193,200
+35% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$69,630
$64,137
+8% in Idaho Falls, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,800
$49,650
+6% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.5 yr
33.5 yr
about equal
Homeownership
64.1%
47.2%
+16.9 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
31.0%
47.8%
+16.8 pp in Pittsburgh, PA
Avg Commute
18.2 min
23.1 min
+4.9 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
365.3
436
+19% in Pittsburgh, PA
Property Crime
1,235.5
2,315.7
+87% in Pittsburgh, PA

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
51.8°F
+7.6°F in Pittsburgh, PA
Annual Precipitation
10.4 in
39.3 in
+28.9 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$3.94/gal
+8% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
21.7
+51% in Pittsburgh, PA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$26.08
+130% in Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA
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 / PA)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
3.07%
+2.2 pp in ID

Idaho Falls vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Pittsburgh?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Pittsburgh?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Pittsburgh?
Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).