Detroit vs Idaho Falls — side-by-side
Cost of living: Detroit vs Idaho Falls (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Detroit buys roughly what $60,000 does in Idaho Falls (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$317/yr
Favoring Idaho Falls for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $26/mo in Idaho Falls, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Detroit Michigan | Idaho Falls Idaho | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000 | $900Better | Idaho wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Idaho |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200 | $1,100Better | Idaho wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Idaho |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,450Better | Idaho wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Idaho |
| Median home price | $200KWins | $310K | Detroit wins +$110K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 97 | 96Better | Idaho wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13 | $12Better | Idaho wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $52 | $50Better | Idaho wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $65 | $35Wins | Idaho wins −$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Idaho |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Detroit wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $250 | $132Wins | Idaho wins −$118/mo | $1,416/yr saves in Idaho |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $142Wins | Idaho wins −$33/mo | $396/yr saves in Idaho |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | Detroit wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $38K | $56KWins | Idaho wins +$18K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.1%Wins | 5.8% | Detroit wins +1.7 pp | $1,020/yr saves in Detroit |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Better | 6.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $13.00Wins | Idaho wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $33Wins | Idaho wins −$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.50Better | Idaho wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Better | 87 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 53Wins | 18 | Detroit wins -35 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,020/yr tax difference into cash back
Detroit fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Detroit.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Detroit vs Idaho Falls?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Detroit is $1,200/month and in Idaho Falls is $1,100/month. Detroit is more expensive by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Idaho Falls to match a $75,000 salary in Detroit?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Idaho Falls to match a $75,000 salary in Detroit. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Detroit or Idaho Falls?
Detroit has the lower state income tax rate at 4.1% vs 5.8%. The difference is 1.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Detroit to Idaho Falls?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Detroit ↔ Idaho Falls
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