Gooding, ID vs Hailey, ID

The cost of living difference between Gooding, ID and Hailey, ID is dramatic. Gooding is 36.8% cheaper than Hailey, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gooding has a cost index of 73 while Hailey sits at 116, 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 Gooding is $869/month compared to $1,196/month in Hailey — a 27% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gooding is more affordable at $175,800 median vs $574,500.

Median household income in Gooding is $36,889 compared to $83,084 in Hailey (-55.6%). While Hailey is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gooding spend roughly 28.3% of their income on rent, more than the 17.3% in Hailey.