Ithaca vs Nampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Ithaca
Nampa
The Verdict
Living in Ithaca costs 10.5% less than Nampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Ithaca, you would need $83,777 in Nampa.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Ithaca has the same purchasing power as $83,777 in Nampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Nampa equals $67,143 in Ithaca.
Living in Ithaca vs Nampa
Housing Costs
Ithaca's housing index of 117 is higher Nampa's 104, translating to median home prices of $324,000 vs $371,000. The $47,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,060 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Ithaca compared to $1,500/mo in Nampa, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Ithaca and 105 in Nampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Ithaca vs $499/month in Nampa. 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 102 in Ithaca and 83 in Nampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Ithaca 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 99 in Ithaca and 102 in Nampa. 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 $48,600 in Ithaca and $74,300 in Nampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,702 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 $1,134/month to housing in Ithaca vs $1,734/month in Nampa. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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