Idaho Falls, ID vs Meridian, ID

The cost of living difference between Idaho Falls, ID and Meridian, ID is dramatic. Idaho Falls is 30.8% cheaper than Meridian, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Idaho Falls has a cost index of 86 while Meridian sits at 125, 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 Idaho Falls is $992/month compared to $1,714/month in Meridian — a 42% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Idaho Falls is more affordable at $298,600 median vs $485,000.

Median household income in Idaho Falls is $69,630 compared to $98,686 in Meridian (-29.4%). The higher salaries in Meridian partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Idaho Falls spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, less than the 20.8% in Meridian.