Idaho Falls wins overall by ~9% (COL index)
Cost of living: Houston vs Idaho Falls (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Houston buys roughly what $54,947 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
−$427/yr
Favoring Idaho Falls for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $36/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 | Houston Texas | Idaho Falls Idaho | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050 | $900Wins | Idaho wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Idaho |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,100Wins | Idaho wins −$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Idaho |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,700 | $1,450Wins | Idaho wins −$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Idaho |
| Median home price | $280KBetter | $310K | Houston wins +$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 94Better | 96 | Houston wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90 | $35Wins | Idaho wins −$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Idaho |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Houston wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $190 | $132Wins | Idaho wins −$58/mo | $696/yr saves in Idaho |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $175 | $142Wins | Idaho wins −$33/mo | $396/yr saves in Idaho |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56KBetter | $56K | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 5.8% | Houston wins +5.8 pp | $3,480/yr saves in Houston |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3% | 6.0%Wins | Idaho wins -2.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $13.00Wins | Idaho wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $33Better | Idaho wins −$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.50Better | Idaho wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 87Better | Idaho wins -8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 49Wins | 18 | Houston wins -31 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,480/yr tax difference into cash back
Idaho Falls 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 Idaho Falls.
High-yield savings
Park ~$3,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
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
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
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Frequently asked questions
Is Houston cheaper than Idaho Falls?
No. Idaho Falls is 9% cheaper than Houston based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 95, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Houston vs Idaho Falls?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Houston is $1,350/month and in Idaho Falls is $1,100/month. Houston is more expensive by 23%.
How much do I need to earn in Idaho Falls to match a $75,000 salary in Houston?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,684/year in Idaho Falls to match a $75,000 salary in Houston. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Houston or Idaho Falls?
Houston has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 5.8%. Houston has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Houston to Idaho Falls?
It depends on your priorities. Idaho Falls offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. 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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