Mackay, ID vs Spirit Lake, ID

The cost of living difference between Mackay, ID and Spirit Lake, ID is dramatic. Mackay is 30.2% cheaper than Spirit Lake, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mackay has a cost index of 67 while Spirit Lake sits at 96, 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 Mackay is $631/month compared to $1,003/month in Spirit Lake — a 37% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mackay is more affordable at $187,500 median vs $380,800.

Median household income in Mackay is $41,474 compared to $60,938 in Spirit Lake (-31.9%). While Spirit Lake is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Mackay spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Spirit Lake.