CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs Idaho Falls, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Idaho Falls is slightly cheaper than Columbus — 1.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $79,100 in Idaho Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing4.4%
Columbus
87.9
Idaho Falls
84
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Columbus
93.6
Idaho Falls
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Columbus
103.9
Idaho Falls
103.9
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Columbus
94
Idaho Falls
94
Utilities27.0%
Columbus
95.5
Idaho Falls
69.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Idaho Falls, ID
$79,100
$900 less needed in Idaho Falls

Formula: salary × (94.4 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9885. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Columbus, OH

Median Home Price
$317,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
87.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Home Price
$399,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.8×

Columbus has 4.4% lower housing costs compared to Idaho Falls.

Income & Job Market

Columbus, OH

Median Household Income
$77,400
Per Capita Income
$44,100
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
905,748
Top Industries
FinanceRetailHealthcareEducationGovernment

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Household Income
$75,800
Per Capita Income
$43,200
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
64,818
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Columbus, OH
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Idaho Falls, ID
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.