Advertisement
California vs Idaho: prices, pay and taxes
| California | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 110.7 | 95.5 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $80,690 | $61,170 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $72,878 | $64,056 |
| Take-home on $100,000* | $73,972 | $74,988 |
| Median household income | $96,334 | $74,636 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Population | 39,242,785 | 1,893,296 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA, 2026 rules, no city or county taxes.
Compare with another state or city
Cost of living in California cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 113.6 | $77,270 | $968,608 |
| San Francisco | 115.6 | $100,220 | $1,149,215 |
| Riverside | 106.4 | $65,160 | $585,378 |
| San Diego | 111.9 | $79,060 | $946,365 |
| Sacramento | 106.7 | $77,150 | $582,707 |
| San Jose | 110.4 | $119,230 | $1,610,466 |
Cost of living in Idaho cities
| City | Price parity | Average salary | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | 98.4 | $64,530 | $496,288 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 98.3 | $60,060 | $605,498 |
| Idaho Falls | 94.4 | $61,160 | $413,631 |
| Twin Falls | 92.1 | $53,580 | $386,550 |
| Pocatello | 88.9 | $55,170 | $354,583 |
| Lewiston | 91.2 | $59,120 | $376,787 |
Advertisement
Go deeper
More state comparisons
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. State average: all occupations, employment-weighted over the state's metro and nonmetro areas.
- Taxes: single filer with the standard deduction; federal income tax with 2026 brackets (IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 and Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000), and each state's 2026 rules as published by its revenue department.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.