CostIndexUSA

Columbus, GA vs Idaho Falls, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableGA
Columbus
89.3
overall index
$1,250/mo rent
ID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Columbus is moderately cheaper than Idaho Falls — 5.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $84,600 in Idaho Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+37.3%
Columbus
61.2
Idaho Falls
84
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Columbus
96.3
Idaho Falls
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Columbus
103.5
Idaho Falls
103.9
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Columbus
93.6
Idaho Falls
94
Utilities22.3%
Columbus
89.7
Idaho Falls
69.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Idaho Falls, ID
$84,600
$4,600 more needed in Idaho Falls

Formula: salary × (94.4 ÷ 89.3) = salary × 1.0571. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, GA

Median Home Price
$200,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
61.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Idaho Falls, ID

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

Idaho Falls has 37.3% higher housing costs compared to Columbus.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, GA

Median Household Income
$54,700
Per Capita Income
$31,200
Unemployment Rate
5.3%
Population
206,922
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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).

Columbus, GA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.