CostIndexUSA

Idaho Falls, ID vs Mesa, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
AZ
Mesa
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Idaho Falls is moderately cheaper than Mesa — 9.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Idaho Falls, you would need $87,500 in Mesa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+44.3%
Idaho Falls
84
Mesa
121.2
🛒 Groceries1.2%
Idaho Falls
96.2
Mesa
95
🚗 Transportation+5.1%
Idaho Falls
103.9
Mesa
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+5.1%
Idaho Falls
94
Mesa
98.8
Utilities+33.9%
Idaho Falls
69.7
Mesa
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Mesa, AZ
$87,500
$7,500 more needed in Mesa

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 94.4) = salary × 1.0943. 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×

Mesa, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Mesa has 44.3% higher housing costs compared to Idaho Falls.

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

Mesa, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
518,012
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareRetailManufacturingAerospace

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)

Mesa, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.