$50K in Carmel = $44,388 in Idaho Falls
Your $50K salary in Carmel (COL 98) has the same purchasing power as $44,388 in Idaho Falls (COL 87). Idaho Falls is cheaper — your money goes 11% further there.
Budget breakdown — $50K in both cities
What $50K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Carmel $50K | Idaho Falls $50K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $3,027 | $2,919 |
| 1BR rent | $1,450 | $1,100 |
| Groceries | $376 | $365 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Utilities | $152 | $142 |
| Internet | $62 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $947/month | $1,212/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $50K in Carmel equivalent to in Idaho Falls?
$50K in Carmel (COL index 98) has the same purchasing power as $44,388 in Idaho Falls (COL index 87). That's 11% less than your current salary.
If I move from Carmel to Idaho Falls keeping my $50K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $50K after moving to Idaho Falls, you'd have $265 more per month after core expenses — because Idaho Falls is cheaper than Carmel.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $50K × (87 ÷ 98) = $44,388. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Carmel to Idaho Falls
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only