Hayden, ID vs Jerome, ID

The cost of living difference between Hayden, ID and Jerome, ID is dramatic. Jerome is 59.5% cheaper than Hayden, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hayden has a cost index of 122 while Jerome sits at 76, 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 Hayden is $1,676/month compared to $900/month in Jerome — a 86% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jerome is more affordable at $214,900 median vs $445,700.

Median household income in Hayden is $77,534 compared to $65,343 in Jerome (+18.7%). Hayden 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 Hayden spend roughly 25.9% of their income on rent, more than the 16.5% in Jerome.