Very AffordableSafer than AverageBONNEVILLE JOINT DISTRICT
Downtown Idaho Falls · Eric Fredericks from Rancho Cordova, California, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0Idaho - Idaho Falls - NARA - 23939427 (cropped) · Albert William Stevens / Public domainUandN Bridge Eagle Rock · Wikimedia Commons / Public domainFalls on the Snake River in Idaho Falls · Natecation / CC BY-SA 4.0
Idaho Falls is a mid-sized city of 65,685 in Idaho, with a median household income of $66,463
and a 4.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 90 (US average = 100), which is
10% below the national average.
Strengths:
Idaho Falls stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Idaho Falls is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Idaho 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: 89.9
Idaho Falls's overall cost of living index is 89.9,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Idaho Falls costs roughly 10% less than the average American city.
Metric
Idaho Falls, ID
National Avg
Median Home Value
$266,800
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$931
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
63.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$66,463
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Idaho Falls's violent crime rate is 356.5 per 100,000 residents
— 6% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
356.5 /100k
Property Crime
1209.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Idaho Falls is served primarily by BONNEVILLE JOINT DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.6:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Idaho Falls, ID
National Avg
School District
BONNEVILLE JOINT DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
15
—
Middle Schools
3
—
High Schools
7
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
29.8%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
90.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Idaho Falls sees average highs of 30.2°F in January
and 86.3°F in July,
with 13.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 65.7 inches of snow per year.
Idaho Falls's cost of living index is 90, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Idaho Falls roughly 10% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $266,800 and median rent is $931/month.
Idaho Falls's violent crime rate is 356.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1209.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Idaho Falls are operated by BONNEVILLE JOINT DISTRICT.
The district has 15 elementary, 3 middle, and 7 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.6:1. 29.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Idaho Falls, ID has a population of 65,685, a median household income of $66,463, and an unemployment rate of 4.8%.
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.
Idaho Falls averages 30.2°F in January and 86.3°F in July. Annual rainfall is 13.5 inches
with about 65.7 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Idaho Falls, ID is covered by 3 ZIP codes: 83402, 83404, 83401.
The population of Idaho Falls, Idaho is 65,685 with a median age of 33.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Idaho Falls: cost of living index 90 (100 = US average), median home $266,800, median household income $66,463, crime index 79 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Idaho Falls side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
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