Buhl, ID vs Malad City, ID

Malad City is moderately more affordable than Buhl, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Buhl scores 85 compared to 79 for Malad City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Buhl can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Buhl is $1,265/month compared to $965/month in Malad City — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Malad City has cheaper rent, Buhl actually has lower median home values ($192,600 vs $210,300).

Median household income in Buhl is $46,217 compared to $75,500 in Malad City (-38.8%). Malad City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Buhl spend roughly 32.8% of their income on rent, more than the 15.3% in Malad City. The Malad City ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.