City Comparison
Kuna vs Ammon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kuna
Ammon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ammon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Kuna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kuna's average rent is
21% higher than Ammon's.
| Metric | Kuna | Ammon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,450 | +21% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,715 | $2,395 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kuna offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kuna delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kuna is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Ammon.
| Metric | Kuna | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kuna runs warmer on average — a 6.8°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Ammon sees 9.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kuna | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.00°F | 49.20°F |
| Summer High | 91.00°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 27.60°F | 18.60°F |
| Rainfall | 19.60 in | 12.60 in |
| Snowfall | 21.50 in | 30.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 289 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ammon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Kuna.
For walkability, Ammon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kuna | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kuna is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Ammon.
From a growth perspective, Kuna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ammon has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kuna | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,760 | 17,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.50% | 2.20% |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kuna
Advantages
Kuna's violent and property crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Proximity to the Boise metropolitan area provides access to major employment hubs while maintaining a small-town feel.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities including the Kuna Caves and the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
Family-oriented community atmosphere featuring well-regarded local parks and annual events like Kuna Days.
More competitive housing lot sizes and prices compared to immediate neighbors like downtown Boise and Meridian per Zillow data.
Drawbacks
High car dependency and limited public transit options within the city limits.
Substantial commuter traffic heading north toward Boise and Meridian during peak morning and evening hours.
Rapid population growth has put pressure on local infrastructure and roadway capacities per municipal planning reports.
Fewer local dining, entertainment, and nightlife options compared to larger urban cores in Ada County.
Housing affordability has tightened significantly over recent years due to high regional demand per Census Bureau figures.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kuna
#34Idaho, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
56.00°F
Pop. Growth
4.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
78
Business
70
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
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