City Comparison

Champaign vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Twin Falls

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

The Verdict

12.0%

Living in Champaign costs 12.0% less than Twin Falls. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $85,185 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Champaign
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
98
Champaign
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
106
Champaign
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
99
Champaign
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
90
Champaign
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $85,185 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $66,033 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $380,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $466/month in Twin Falls. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign 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 90 in Champaign and 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $66,196 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 12.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $85,185 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases