City Comparison
Ammon vs Idaho Falls
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ammon
Idaho Falls
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Idaho Falls is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Ammon.
| Metric | Ammon | Idaho Falls | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,350 | +7% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,395 | $2,225 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Idaho Falls offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Idaho Falls delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ammon is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Idaho Falls.
| Metric | Ammon | Idaho Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 77,419 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $74,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Ammon | Idaho Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.20°F | 49.20°F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | 18.60°F |
| Rainfall | 12.60 in | 12.60 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 30.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | 289 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Idaho Falls scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ammon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ammon | Idaho Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Idaho Falls is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Ammon.
From a growth perspective, Ammon is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Ammon | Idaho Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,664 | 66,838 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ammon
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates remain significantly below the national average per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data.
Proximity to the Idaho National Laboratory and regional healthcare systems provides stable, high-paying employment opportunities.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton, and the Snake River.
Strong local school district performance with modern facilities serving a growing youth population.
Pro-business municipal environment supporting steady retail and commercial development.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has tightened considerably following rapid population growth and home price appreciation since 2024.
High degree of automobile dependency due to limited public transit infrastructure within the city.
Winters are cold and snowy, requiring adaptation to significant seasonal snowfall and low temperatures.
Limited nightlife and cultural entertainment options directly within city borders, requiring trips into Idaho Falls.
Rapid suburban expansion has increased traffic congestion along major commercial corridors like Sunnyside Road.
Idaho Falls
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per recent US Census and Zillow data.
Exceptional career opportunities in nuclear research, engineering, and clean energy via the Idaho National Laboratory.
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation, including the Snake River Greenbelt and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
Consistently low crime rates and high community safety ratings compared to major US metropolitan areas.
Abundant and low-cost utility rates driven by regional hydroelectric and renewable energy infrastructure.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and snowy, requiring adaptation to severe driving conditions and sub-freezing temperatures.
Limited commercial flight options out of Idaho Falls Regional Airport frequently require layovers or driving to Salt Lake City.
Public transportation options are sparse, making a personal vehicle an absolute necessity for daily life.
Rapid regional growth has placed upward pressure on housing inventory and rental availability.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ammon
#25Idaho, USA
72.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
49.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
78
Business
72
Idaho Falls
#42Idaho, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
49.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
72
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