CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Idaho Falls, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Idaho Falls is moderately cheaper than Anchorage — 10.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $71,600 in Idaho Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing23.6%
Anchorage
109.9
Idaho Falls
84
🛒 Groceries10.3%
Anchorage
107.3
Idaho Falls
96.2
🚗 Transportation4.2%
Anchorage
108.5
Idaho Falls
103.9
🏥 Healthcare4.3%
Anchorage
98.2
Idaho Falls
94
Utilities37.7%
Anchorage
111.8
Idaho Falls
69.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Idaho Falls to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Idaho Falls, ID
$71,600
$8,400 less needed in Idaho Falls

Formula: salary × (94.4 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.8956. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Home Price
$399,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.8×

Anchorage has 23.6% lower housing costs compared to Idaho Falls.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Household Income
$75,800
Per Capita Income
$43,200
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
64,818
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Idaho Falls, ID
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.