Cost of Living in Moscow, ID

With a cost of living index of 89, Moscow, ID is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 11% cheaper than the national average and in line with the Idaho state average. With a population of 25,868, Moscow is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Moscow's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $902 (32% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $352,000 (15% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 6.2x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Moscow is $56,497, which is 25% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 19% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.