Cottonwood, ID vs Orofino, ID

Cottonwood, ID and Orofino, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.7% difference in their overall index. Cottonwood scores 78 while Orofino 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 Cottonwood is $942/month compared to $892/month in Orofino — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Orofino has cheaper rent, Cottonwood actually has lower median home values ($206,800 vs $218,900).

Median household income in Cottonwood is $56,250 compared to $57,171 in Orofino (-1.6%). Orofino offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Cottonwood spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Orofino.