Pierce, ID vs Sun Valley, ID

The cost of living difference between Pierce, ID and Sun Valley, ID is dramatic. Pierce is 56.4% cheaper than Sun Valley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Pierce has a cost index of 72 while Sun Valley sits at 166, 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 Pierce is $850/month compared to $2,114/month in Sun Valley — a 60% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pierce is more affordable at $171,700 median vs $845,600.

Median household income in Pierce is $53,125 compared to $82,045 in Sun Valley (-35.2%). The higher salaries in Sun Valley partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Pierce spend roughly 19.2% of their income on rent, less than the 30.9% in Sun Valley. The Pierce ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.