Cottonwood, ID vs St. Maries, ID

Cottonwood, ID and St. Maries, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Cottonwood scores 78 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 Cottonwood is $942/month compared to $859/month in St. Maries — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. Maries is more affordable at $205,400 median vs $206,800.

Median household income in Cottonwood is $56,250 compared to $52,468 in St. Maries (+7.2%). While Cottonwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cottonwood spend roughly 20.1% of their income on rent, more than the 19.6% in St. Maries.