CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is moderately cheaper than Lancaster — 9.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $72,400 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.2%
Lancaster
93.8
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries4.5%
Lancaster
100.7
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Lancaster
102.6
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+1.3%
Lancaster
92.8
Pocatello
94
Utilities34.9%
Lancaster
107.3
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$72,400
$7,600 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9044. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Pocatello, ID

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

Lancaster has 29.2% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

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).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×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.