Very AffordableVery SafeAMERICAN FALLS JOINT DISTRICT
Power County Courthouse · Ken Lund / CC BY-SA 2.0Idaho - American Falls - NARA - 23939361 (cropped) · Albert William Stevens / Public domainIdaho - American Falls - NARA - 23939363 (cropped) · Albert William Stevens / Public domain
American Falls is a small town of 4,573 in Idaho, with a median household income of $55,465
and a 7.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
American Falls stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether American Falls is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All American Falls city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.7
American Falls's overall cost of living index is 89.7,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in American Falls costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
American Falls, ID
National Avg
Median Home Value
$169,700
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$693
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
71.5%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$55,465
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
American Falls's violent crime rate is 267.7 per 100,000 residents
— 30% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
267.7 /100k
Property Crime
288.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
American Falls is served primarily by AMERICAN FALLS JOINT DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
American Falls, ID
National Avg
School District
AMERICAN FALLS JOINT DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
2
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
16.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
77.3%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
American Falls sees average highs of 34.5°F in January
and 90.4°F in July,
with 11.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 34.9 inches of snow per year.
American Falls's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes American Falls roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $169,700 and median rent is $693/month.
American Falls's violent crime rate is 267.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 288.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in American Falls are operated by AMERICAN FALLS JOINT DISTRICT.
The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.6:1. 16.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
American Falls, ID has a population of 4,573, a median household income of $55,465, and an unemployment rate of 7.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
American Falls averages 34.5°F in January and 90.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 11.1 inches
with about 34.9 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
American Falls, ID is covered by 1 ZIP code: 83211.
The population of American Falls, Idaho is 4,573 with a median age of 30.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in American Falls: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $169,700, median household income $55,465, crime index 48 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare American Falls side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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