Hailey, ID vs Hayden, ID

Hailey, ID and Hayden, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.8% difference in their overall index. Hailey scores 116 while Hayden scores 122 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 Hailey is $1,196/month compared to $1,676/month in Hayden — a 29% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hailey has cheaper rent, Hayden actually has lower median home values ($445,700 vs $574,500).

Median household income in Hailey is $83,084 compared to $77,534 in Hayden (+7.2%). Hailey offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Hailey spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 25.9% in Hayden.