Hayden, ID vs Lewiston, ID

The cost of living difference between Hayden, ID and Lewiston, ID is dramatic. Lewiston is 46.3% cheaper than Hayden, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hayden has a cost index of 122 while Lewiston sits at 83, 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 $938/month in Lewiston — a 79% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lewiston is more affordable at $290,900 median vs $445,700.

Median household income in Hayden is $77,534 compared to $71,047 in Lewiston (+9.1%). 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 15.8% in Lewiston.