American Falls, ID vs Rathdrum, ID

The cost of living difference between American Falls, ID and Rathdrum, ID is dramatic. American Falls is 37.2% cheaper than Rathdrum, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. American Falls has a cost index of 68 while Rathdrum sits at 108, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in American Falls is $710/month compared to $1,412/month in Rathdrum — a 50% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: American Falls is more affordable at $172,800 median vs $381,800.

Median household income in American Falls is $58,376 compared to $86,431 in Rathdrum (-32.5%). The higher salaries in Rathdrum partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of American Falls spend roughly 14.6% of their income on rent, less than the 19.6% in Rathdrum.