City Comparison

Nampa vs Orem

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

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

Orem

Utah
117
Above Average
$528,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$86,000
Median Income

The Verdict

10.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.3%, with Nampa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to $83,571 in Orem.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
147
Orem
Groceries
105
Nampa
98
Orem
Utilities
83
Nampa
92
Orem
Transportation
113
Nampa
108
Orem
Healthcare
102
Nampa
95
Orem

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $83,571 in Orem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Orem equals $67,308 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Orem

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower Orem's 147, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $528,000. The $157,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,400/mo in Orem, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 98 in Orem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $466/month in Orem. Orem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 92 in Orem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $368 in Orem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Nampa and 95 in Orem. 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 $74,300 in Nampa and $86,000 in Orem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $73,504 respectively. Orem residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $2,007/month in Orem. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nampa is 10.3% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,571 in Orem, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Orem's is 147 with median homes at $528,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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