City Comparison
Ammon vs Moscow
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ammon
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
44% lower than in Ammon.
| Metric | Ammon | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,338 | +8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,395 | $1,338 | +79% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ammon is estimated at
$52,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Ammon | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ammon runs warmer on average — a 49.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ammon comes out ahead with 289 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ammon sees 30.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ammon | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 12.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Ammon.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ammon | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Moscow is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Ammon.
From a growth perspective, Ammon is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ammon | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,664 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.00% |
| 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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
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
Moscow
#497Idaho, USA
52.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Ammon and Moscow.
Open Cost Calculator