Gooding, ID vs Sun Valley, ID

The cost of living difference between Gooding, ID and Sun Valley, ID is dramatic. Gooding is 55.9% cheaper than Sun Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gooding has a cost index of 73 while Sun Valley sits at 166, 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 $2,114/month in Sun Valley — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Gooding is more affordable at $175,800 median vs $845,600.

Median household income in Gooding is $36,889 compared to $82,045 in Sun Valley (-55%). The higher salaries in Sun Valley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Gooding spend roughly 28.3% of their income on rent, less than the 30.9% in Sun Valley. The Gooding ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.