City Comparison

Boston vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Boston

Massachusetts
162
Very Expensive
$620,000
Median Home
$2,800/mo
Median Rent
$76,298
Median Income

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

76.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 76.1%, with Twin Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Boston has equivalent purchasing power to $42,593 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
242
Boston
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
108
Boston
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
126
Boston
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
107
Boston
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
118
Boston
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Boston has the same purchasing power as $42,593 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $132,065 in Boston.

Living in Boston vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Boston's housing index of 242 is higher Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $620,000 vs $380,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,800/mo in Boston compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $1,650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Boston and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Boston vs $466/month in Twin Falls. Twin Falls offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 126 in Boston and 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $504 in Boston vs $340 in Twin Falls. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 118 in Boston and 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $76,298 in Boston and $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,098 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,780/month to housing in Boston vs $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Boston, median rent of $2,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 149 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Twin Falls is 76.1% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 162.
A $75,000 salary in Boston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $42,593 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Boston's housing index is 242 with median homes at $620,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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