Hailey, ID vs Lincoln, ID

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Lincoln is 22.1% cheaper than Hailey. With a cost index of 95 vs 116, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Lincoln to Hailey should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Hailey is $1,196/month compared to $1,245/month in Lincoln — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Hailey has cheaper rent, Lincoln actually has lower median home values ($307,800 vs $574,500).

Median household income in Hailey is $83,084 compared to $80,818 in Lincoln (+2.8%). Hailey does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Hailey spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 18.5% in Lincoln.