Colorado
101.8
composite · rank #34
- Housing
- 107.4
- Grocery
- 100.9
- Utilities
- 88.7
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Colorado vs Idaho Cost of Living
Idaho has the lower cost of living by 0.1 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Idaho is lower
0.1 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Colorado is roughly $99,902 in Idaho.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Idaho
101.7
composite · rank #32
- Housing
- 105.1
- Grocery
- 103.4
- Utilities
- 73.4
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Colorado | Idaho | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 100.9 | 103.4 | Colorado |
| Housing | 107.4 | 105.1 | Idaho |
| Utilities | 88.7 | 73.4 | Idaho |
| Transportation | 89.1 | 101 | Colorado |
| Health care | 103.9 | 101.6 | Idaho |
| Misc. goods & services | 103.5 | 105.3 | Colorado |
Grocery
Colorado100.9
Idaho103.4
Lower cost: Colorado
Housing
Colorado107.4
Idaho105.1
Lower cost: Idaho
Utilities
Colorado88.7
Idaho73.4
Lower cost: Idaho
Transportation
Colorado89.1
Idaho101
Lower cost: Colorado
Health care
Colorado103.9
Idaho101.6
Lower cost: Idaho
Misc. goods & services
Colorado103.5
Idaho105.3
Lower cost: Colorado
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Idaho | Needed in Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,951 | $50,049 |
| $75,000 | $74,926 | $75,074 |
| $100,000 | $99,902 | $100,098 |
| $150,000 | $149,853 | $150,147 |
| $250,000 | $249,754 | $250,246 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Idaho$49,951
In Colorado$50,049
$75,000 origin salary
In Idaho$74,926
In Colorado$75,074
$100,000 origin salary
In Idaho$99,902
In Colorado$100,098
$150,000 origin salary
In Idaho$149,853
In Colorado$150,147
Housing gap
Colorado housing is 107.4; Idaho is 105.1.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Colorado is roughly $99,902 in Idaho.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Colorado vs Idaho cost of living FAQs
Idaho has the lower cost of living by 0.1 index points. The composite indexes are 101.8 in Colorado and 101.7 in Idaho (US average = 100).
About $99,902 in Idaho would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Colorado, based on the composite indexes.
About $100,098 in Colorado would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Idaho.
Housing indexes are 107.4 in Colorado and 105.1 in Idaho. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Idaho has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.