CostIndexUSA

Idaho Falls, ID vs Iowa City, IA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableIA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent

Iowa City is slightly cheaper than Idaho Falls — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Idaho Falls, you would need $77,500 in Iowa City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Idaho Falls
84
Iowa City
84
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Idaho Falls
96.2
Iowa City
93.7
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Idaho Falls
103.9
Iowa City
97.6
🏥 Healthcare6.1%
Idaho Falls
94
Iowa City
88.3
Utilities+20.1%
Idaho Falls
69.7
Iowa City
83.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Iowa City, IA
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Iowa City

Formula: salary × (91.5 ÷ 94.4) = salary × 0.9693. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Idaho Falls, ID

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

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Income & Job Market

Idaho Falls, ID

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

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

78% of income left after rent (median)

Iowa City, IA
4.6×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.