Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Worcester?

Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $41,000 in Worcester.

Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Worcester?

Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Idaho Falls vs Worcester Cost of Living 2026

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/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 $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Idaho Falls, ID is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Worcester, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID and $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 3% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Idaho Falls, ID

Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio

$818

$1,087

+33% in Worcester, MA

1 Bedroom

$827

$1,028

+24% in Worcester, MA

2 Bedroom

$957

$1,476

+54% in Worcester, MA

3 Bedroom

$1,278

$1,675

+31% in Worcester, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$298,600

$339,500

+14% in Worcester, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$69,630

$67,544

+3% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,800

$57,830

+24% in Worcester, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

34.1 yr

+0.6 yr in Worcester, MA

Homeownership

64.1%

42.4%

+21.7 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.0%

34.1%

+3.1 pp in Worcester, MA

Avg Commute

18.2 min

25.1 min

+6.9 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

365.3

640.2

+75% in Worcester, MA

Property Crime

1,235.5

1,580.3

+28% in Worcester, MA

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

47.9°F

+3.7°F in Worcester, MA

Annual Precipitation

10.4 in

48.1 in

+37.7 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$4.07/gal

+5% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Massachusetts.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

29.6

+106% in Worcester, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$30.66

+171% in Worcester, MA

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 Worcester, MA

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 / MA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

9.00%

+3.7 pp in MA

Idaho Falls vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Idaho Falls or Worcester?: Idaho Falls, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Worcester, MA's $1,340, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Idaho Falls than in Worcester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Idaho Falls versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, Idaho Falls or Worcester?: Idaho Falls is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).