Nampa vs Plano
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Nampa
Plano
The Verdict
Living in Nampa costs 3.7% less than Plano. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $77,857 in Plano.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $77,857 in Plano.
Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $72,248 in Nampa.
Living in Nampa vs Plano
Housing Costs
Nampa's housing index of 104 is lower Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $400,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 105 in Nampa and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Nampa vs $466/month in Plano. Plano 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $396 in Plano. 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 102 in Nampa and 100 in Plano. 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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $88,393 respectively. Plano 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 $2,248/month in Plano. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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