CostIndexUSA

Idaho Falls, ID vs Tuscaloosa, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

ID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Tuscaloosa
87.7
overall index
$1,525/mo rent

Tuscaloosa is moderately cheaper than Idaho Falls — 7.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Idaho Falls, you would need $74,300 in Tuscaloosa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.7%
Idaho Falls
84
Tuscaloosa
58.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Idaho Falls
96.2
Tuscaloosa
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.3%
Idaho Falls
103.9
Tuscaloosa
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.2%
Idaho Falls
94
Tuscaloosa
91.9
Utilities+21.1%
Idaho Falls
69.7
Tuscaloosa
84.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
$74,300
$5,700 less needed in Tuscaloosa

Formula: salary × (87.7 ÷ 94.4) = salary × 0.9290. 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×

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
58.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Idaho Falls has 30.7% lower housing costs compared to Tuscaloosa.

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

Tuscaloosa, AL

Median Household Income
$58,200
Per Capita Income
$33,200
Unemployment Rate
5.9%
Population
99,543
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingAutomotiveGovernment

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)

Tuscaloosa, AL
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.