Melba, ID vs Ucon, ID

Melba, ID and Ucon, ID have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Melba scores 88 while Ucon scores 85 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Melba is $993/month compared to $920/month in Ucon — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ucon has cheaper rent, Melba actually has lower median home values ($306,000 vs $311,700).

Median household income in Melba is $53,500 compared to $83,864 in Ucon (-36.2%). Ucon 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 13.2% in Ucon.