Fort Hall, ID vs Hayden Lake, ID

The cost of living difference between Fort Hall, ID and Hayden Lake, ID is dramatic. Fort Hall is 61.9% cheaper than Hayden Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Hall has a cost index of 59 while Hayden Lake sits at 154, 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 Fort Hall is $381/month compared to $2,036/month in Hayden Lake — a 81% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Hall is more affordable at $196,000 median vs $706,900.

Median household income in Fort Hall is $40,757 compared to $104,500 in Hayden Lake (-61%). The higher salaries in Hayden Lake partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Hall spend roughly 11.2% of their income on rent, less than the 23.4% in Hayden Lake.