Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Tampa?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Tampa?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Idaho Falls vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 2% higher in Tampa, FL. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$818

$1,242

+52% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$827

$1,324

+60% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$957

$1,673

+75% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,729

+35% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$375,300

+26% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$71,302

+2% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$48,940

+5% in Tampa, FL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

35.6 yr

+2.1 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

64.1%

50.2%

+13.9 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

44.6%

+13.6 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

18.2 min

24.7 min

+6.5 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

443.2

+21% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

1,235.5

1,473.2

+19% in Tampa, FL

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

73.4°F

+29.2°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

46.3 in

+35.9 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.83/gal

+10% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.1

+5% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$23.62

+108% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tampa, FL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / FL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

None

+5.3 pp in ID

Idaho Falls vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Tampa?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Tampa?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).