Melba, ID vs New Plymouth, ID

New Plymouth is moderately more affordable than Melba, with a 12.1% lower cost of living index. Melba scores 88 compared to 79 for New Plymouth, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Melba can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Melba is $993/month compared to $988/month in New Plymouth — a 1% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Plymouth is more affordable at $199,200 median vs $306,000.

Median household income in Melba is $53,500 compared to $59,875 in New Plymouth (-10.6%). New Plymouth offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Melba spend roughly 22.3% of their income on rent, more than the 19.8% in New Plymouth.