Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Nampa, ID
VS
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
🏆 Nampa leads 13 of 23 categories
Nampa
Idaho
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,346
Violent Crime Index
93
Population
102,598
Rancho Cucamonga
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,534 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
174,696 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Nampa, ID
Pros
Homes cost $368k less ($289,400 vs $657,400)
Rent averages $983/mo less ($1,201 vs $2,184)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (3.0%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Rancho Cucamonga
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Median income trails Rancho Cucamonga by $38,188/yr
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Pros
Households earn $38,188 more per year on average
17% less violent crime than Nampa
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 40°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $657,400
Higher rents — median is $2,184/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Nampa
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 3.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Nampa
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Nampa
Median Home Value
$368k less
$289,400 vs $657,400
Nampa
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
3.0% vs 5.4% unemployment
Rancho Cucamonga
Median Income
$38,188
$105,534 vs $67,346/yr
Rancho Cucamonga
Violent Crime
17% lower
293.7 vs 353.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Nampa, ID | Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $289,400 ✓ Lower | $657,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,201 ✓ Lower | $2,184⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,346 | $105,534 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% ✓ Lower | 5.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.5 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.0% | 10.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 70 ✓ Safer | 81 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 93 | 77 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 86 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) ✓ Better | C+ (83) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.4% | 37.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | NAMPA SCHOOL DISTRICT | Alta Loma Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.5°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 93.3°F | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 17.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 9.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,598 | 174,696 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 63.3% |
| Under 18 | 25.1% ✓ More | 22.7% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nampa's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Rancho Cucamonga's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Nampa is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Nampa leads 13 of 23 categories. Nampa wins 13 and Rancho Cucamonga wins 10. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Nampa to Rancho Cucamonga or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,400 vs $657,400 median home), income ($67,346 vs $105,534), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Nampa, ID and Rancho Cucamonga, CA are about 655 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.