City Comparison

Irvine vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irvine

California
178
Very Expensive
$1.1M
Median Home
$3,000/mo
Median Rent
$108,038
Median Income

Twin Falls

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

The Verdict

93.5%

Living in Twin Falls costs 93.5% less than Irvine. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $38,764 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
294
Irvine
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
108
Irvine
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
115
Irvine
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
115
Irvine
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
109
Irvine
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irvine has the same purchasing power as $38,764 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $145,109 in Irvine.

Living in Irvine vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Irvine's housing index of 294 is higher Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $380,000. The $670,000 difference in home prices means roughly $43,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,000/mo in Irvine compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $1,850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Irvine and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Irvine 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 115 in Irvine and 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Irvine 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 109 in Irvine and 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $108,038 in Irvine and $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,696 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 $2,521/month to housing in Irvine vs $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/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 201 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Twin Falls is 93.5% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 178.
A $75,000 salary in Irvine has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $38,764 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Irvine's housing index is 294 with median homes at $1.1M, 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