Idaho Falls wins overall by ~4% (COL index)
Cost of living: Idaho Falls vs Kansas City (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Idaho Falls buys roughly what $62,759 does in Kansas City (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Estimated annual swing
+$1,270/yr
Favoring Idaho Falls for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $106/mo in Idaho Falls, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Idaho Falls Idaho | Kansas City Missouri | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Better | $950 | Idaho wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Idaho |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Better | $1,200 | Idaho wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Idaho |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450Better | $1,600 | Idaho wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Idaho |
| Median home price | $310K | $280KBetter | Kansas wins −$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 95Better | Kansas wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Better | $50 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $35Wins | $70 | Idaho wins +$35/mo | $420/yr saves in Idaho |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.00Better | Kansas wins −$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $132Better | $145 | Idaho wins +$13/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $142Wins | $165 | Idaho wins +$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Idaho |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $60Better | Kansas wins −$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56K | $58KBetter | Kansas wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.8% | 5.4%Better | Kansas wins -0.4 pp | $240/yr saves in Kansas |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0%Wins | 8.6% | Idaho wins +2.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Better | $14.00 | Idaho wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $33Better | $35 | Idaho wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50 | $5.00Better | Kansas wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 87Better | 91 | Idaho wins +4 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 18 | 38Wins | Kansas wins +20 more/yr | — |
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New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Idaho Falls.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Idaho Falls cheaper than Kansas City?
Yes. Idaho Falls is 4% cheaper than Kansas City based on overall cost of living indices (87 vs 91, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Idaho Falls vs Kansas City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Idaho Falls is $1,100/month and in Kansas City is $1,200/month. Idaho Falls is cheaper by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Kansas City to match a $75,000 salary in Idaho Falls?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $78,448/year in Kansas City to match a $75,000 salary in Idaho Falls. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Idaho Falls or Kansas City?
Kansas City has the lower state income tax rate at 5.4% vs 5.8%. The difference is 0.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Idaho Falls to Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Idaho Falls offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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