Living Cost Compare
Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

vs
Washington

District of Columbia

$2,150/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 $2,150 in Washington, DC. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 55% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Washington, DC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $106,287 in Washington, DC — about 34% higher in Washington, DC. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; District of Columbia has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID
Washington, DC

Rent

Studio
$818
$1,763
+116% in Washington, DC
1 Bedroom
$827
$1,885
+128% in Washington, DC
2 Bedroom
$957
$1,949
+104% in Washington, DC
3 Bedroom
$1,278
$2,249
+76% in Washington, DC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$298,600
$724,600
+143% in Washington, DC

Income

Median Household Income
$69,630
$106,287
+53% in Washington, DC
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$46,800
$71,060
+52% in Washington, DC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.5 yr
34.9 yr
+1.4 yr in Washington, DC
Homeownership
64.1%
41.1%
+23.0 pp in Idaho Falls, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
31.0%
63.6%
+32.6 pp in Washington, DC
Avg Commute
18.2 min
30.3 min
+12.1 min in Washington, DC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
365.3
936.3
+156% in Washington, DC
Property Crime
1,235.5
3,627.9
+194% in Washington, DC

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
58.2°F
+14.0°F in Washington, DC
Annual Precipitation
10.4 in
39.7 in
+29.4 in in Washington, DC

Gas

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

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
24.4
+70% in Washington, DC
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$27.28
+141% in Washington, DC

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 Washington, DC
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 / DC)
6%
6%
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
10.75%
+5.5 pp in DC

Idaho Falls vs Washington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Washington?
Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 55% below Washington, DC's $2,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Washington?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $75,000 in Washington.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Washington?
Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Washington under District of Columbia's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% 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).