Emmett, ID vs Hayden, ID

The cost of living difference between Emmett, ID and Hayden, ID is dramatic. Emmett is 31.4% cheaper than Hayden, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Emmett has a cost index of 83 while Hayden sits at 122, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Emmett is $854/month compared to $1,676/month in Hayden — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Emmett is more affordable at $299,000 median vs $445,700.

Median household income in Emmett is $58,523 compared to $77,534 in Hayden (-24.5%). The higher salaries in Hayden partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Emmett spend roughly 17.5% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Hayden.