Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Warwick?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Warwick?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Idaho Falls vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 20% higher in Warwick, RI. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$818

$923

+13% in Warwick, RI

1 Bedroom

$827

$1,085

+31% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$957

$1,629

+70% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,569

+23% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$322,000

+8% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$87,536

+26% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$53,680

+15% in Warwick, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

44.6 yr

+11.1 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

64.1%

73.4%

+9.3 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

33.2%

+2.2 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

18.2 min

25.0 min

+6.8 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

79.5

+78% in Idaho Falls, ID

Property Crime

1,235.5

1,149.5

+7% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

51.6°F

+7.4°F in Warwick, RI

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

47.2 in

+36.8 in in Warwick, RI

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

29.2

+103% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$25.75

+127% in Warwick, RI

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

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Warwick, RI

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 / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.99%

+0.7 pp in RI

Idaho Falls vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Warwick?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Warwick?: 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 Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Warwick?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).