CostIndexUSA

Boise, ID vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Boise
98.4
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is moderately cheaper than Boise — 9.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Boise, you would need $72,300 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing37.1%
Boise
105.6
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Boise
96.2
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Boise
103.9
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Boise
94
Pocatello
94
Utilities1.3%
Boise
70.7
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Boise to see what you'd need to earn in Pocatello to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$72,300
$7,700 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 98.4) = salary × 0.9035. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Boise, ID

Median Home Price
$479,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
105.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Boise has 37.1% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

Income & Job Market

Boise, ID

Median Household Income
$82,500
Per Capita Income
$47,000
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
235,984
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareManufacturingFinanceAgriculture

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Boise, ID
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Pocatello, ID
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.