CostIndexUSA

Idaho Falls, ID vs Madison, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
WI
Madison
97.3
overall index
$1,625/mo rent

Idaho Falls is slightly cheaper than Madison — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Idaho Falls, you would need $82,500 in Madison. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+18.7%
Idaho Falls
84
Madison
99.7
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Idaho Falls
96.2
Madison
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Idaho Falls
103.9
Madison
104.4
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Idaho Falls
94
Madison
94.4
Utilities+28.8%
Idaho Falls
69.7
Madison
89.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Madison, WI
$82,500
$2,500 more needed in Madison

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 94.4) = salary × 1.0307. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Idaho Falls, ID

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

Madison, WI

Median Home Price
$429,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,625
Housing Index
99.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.0×

Madison has 18.7% higher housing costs compared to Idaho Falls.

Income & Job Market

Idaho Falls, ID

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

Madison, WI

Median Household Income
$82,100
Per Capita Income
$46,800
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
269,186
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareGovernmentTechnologyFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

78% of income left after rent (median)

Madison, WI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.