Carey, ID vs St. Maries, ID

Carey, ID and St. Maries, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.2% difference in their overall index. Carey scores 79 while St. Maries scores 77 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Carey is $964/month compared to $859/month in St. Maries — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Maries is more affordable at $205,400 median vs $209,200.

Median household income in Carey is $50,938 compared to $52,468 in St. Maries (-2.9%). St. Maries offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Carey spend roughly 22.7% of their income on rent, more than the 19.6% in St. Maries.