City Comparison

Erie vs Nampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Erie

Pennsylvania
81
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$43,400
Median Income

Nampa

Idaho
105
Average
$371,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$74,300
Median Income

The Verdict

22.9%

Erie is 22.9% less expensive than Nampa overall. A household earning $75,000 in Erie would need approximately $97,222 in Nampa to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
55
Erie
104
Nampa
Groceries
97
Erie
105
Nampa
Utilities
109
Erie
83
Nampa
Transportation
113
Erie
113
Nampa
Healthcare
89
Erie
102
Nampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Erie has the same purchasing power as $97,222 in Nampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $57,857 in Erie.

Living in Erie vs Nampa

Housing Costs

Erie's housing index of 55 is lower Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $371,000. The $206,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,392 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie vs $499/month in Nampa. Erie offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 109 in Erie and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie vs $332 in Nampa. 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 89 in Erie and 102 in Nampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $43,400 in Erie and $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 and $70,762 respectively. Nampa residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,734/month in Nampa. In Erie, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Erie is 22.9% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Erie has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,222 in Nampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Erie's housing index is 55 with median homes at $165,000, while Nampa's is 104 with median homes at $371,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases