Mackay, ID vs Sugar City, ID

The cost of living difference between Mackay, ID and Sugar City, ID is dramatic. Mackay is 31.2% cheaper than Sugar City, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Mackay has a cost index of 67 while Sugar City sits at 97, 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 $1,307/month in Sugar City — a 52% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mackay is more affordable at $187,500 median vs $308,000.

Median household income in Mackay is $41,474 compared to $71,944 in Sugar City (-42.4%). While Sugar City 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 21.8% in Sugar City.