CostIndexUSA

Columbus, OH vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

OH
Columbus
95.5
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is moderately cheaper than Columbus — 6.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Columbus, you would need $74,500 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing24.5%
Columbus
87.9
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries+2.8%
Columbus
93.6
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Columbus
103.9
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Columbus
94
Pocatello
94
Utilities26.9%
Columbus
95.5
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$74,500
$5,500 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.9309. 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×

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Columbus has 24.5% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

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

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Pocatello, ID
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.