Idaho Falls wins overall by ~19% (COL index)
Cost of living: Idaho Falls vs Chicago (2026)
A $61,500 salary in Idaho Falls buys roughly what $75,638 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$11,097/yr
Favoring Idaho Falls for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $925/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~17 months and still keep ~$111/mo for dining out.
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 | Idaho Falls Idaho | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $62K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Wins | $1,500 | Idaho wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Idaho |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,900 | Idaho wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Idaho |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450Wins | $2,600 | Idaho wins +$1,150/mo | $13,800/yr saves in Idaho |
| Median home price | $310KWins | $360K | Idaho wins +$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 102 | Idaho wins +6 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Idaho wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $60 | Idaho wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $35Wins | $105 | Idaho wins +$70/mo | $840/yr saves in Idaho |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Better | $3.40 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $132Wins | $165 | Idaho wins +$33/mo | $396/yr saves in Idaho |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $142Wins | $165 | Idaho wins +$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Idaho |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$11K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8% | 4.9%Wins | Chicago wins -0.9 pp | $553/yr saves in Chicago |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Wins | 10.3% | Idaho wins +4.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Idaho wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Wins | $45 | Idaho wins +$12/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Idaho wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Wins | 107 | Idaho wins +20 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 18 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +60 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
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 ~$9,600/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Idaho Falls cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Idaho Falls is 19% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Idaho Falls vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Idaho Falls is $1,100/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Idaho Falls is cheaper by 42%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Idaho Falls?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $92,241/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Idaho Falls. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Idaho Falls or Chicago?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.9 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Idaho Falls to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Idaho Falls offers lower overall costs, 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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