Caldwell, ID vs Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls is moderately more affordable than Caldwell, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Caldwell scores 94 compared to 86 for Idaho Falls, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Caldwell can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Caldwell is $1,135/month compared to $992/month in Idaho Falls — a 14% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Idaho Falls is more affordable at $298,600 median vs $322,100.

Median household income in Caldwell is $66,663 compared to $69,630 in Idaho Falls (-4.3%). Idaho Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Caldwell spend roughly 20.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.1% in Idaho Falls.