City Comparison

Nampa vs Racine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Nampa

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

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

The Verdict

19.3%

Living in Racine costs 19.3% less than Nampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Nampa, you would need $62,857 in Racine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Nampa
66
Racine
Groceries
105
Nampa
97
Racine
Utilities
83
Nampa
94
Racine
Transportation
113
Nampa
90
Racine
Healthcare
102
Nampa
111
Racine

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Nampa has the same purchasing power as $62,857 in Racine.

Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $89,489 in Nampa.

Living in Nampa vs Racine

Housing Costs

Nampa's housing index of 104 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $371,000 vs $126,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Nampa compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 83 in Nampa and 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $332 in Nampa vs $376 in Racine. 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 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $74,300 in Nampa and $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,762 and $65,568 respectively. Nampa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,734/month to housing in Nampa vs $1,346/month in Racine. In Nampa, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Racine is 19.3% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Nampa has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,857 in Racine, based on the cost of living difference.
Nampa's housing index is 104 with median homes at $371,000, while Racine's is 66 with median homes at $126,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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