City Comparison
Ammon vs Post Falls
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ammon
Post Falls
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ammon is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Post Falls.
| Metric | Ammon | Post Falls | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,550 | -6% |
| Groceries | $420 | $410 | +2% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,395 | $2,480 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ammon offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ammon 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 Post Falls.
| Metric | Ammon | Post Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $61,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 62,245 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $69,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.099999999999994°F of each other.
For sunshine, Ammon comes out ahead with 38 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Post Falls sees 12.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ammon | Post Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.20°F | 49.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | 80.90°F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | 21.80°F |
| Rainfall | 12.60 in | 27.80 in |
| Snowfall | 30.70 in | 43.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | 251 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 62.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ammon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Post Falls.
Post Falls scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Ammon | Post Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Post Falls is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Ammon.
From a growth perspective, Post Falls 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 | Ammon | Post Falls |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,664 | 41,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 3.10% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| 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.
Post Falls
Advantages
Median home prices in Kootenai County remain more affordable than nearby coastal markets in Washington and Oregon per Zillow data.
Enjoyable climate featuring 251 sunny days per year and abundant access to outdoor recreation along the Spokane River.
Business-friendly regulatory environment supporting robust local job growth and small business creation.
Violent crime rates consistently sit below the national average, contributing to a secure community environment.
Convenient access via Interstate 90 to larger metropolitan amenities in Spokane, Washington, and Coeur d'Alene.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has put significant upward pressure on local housing and rental prices.
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure across sprawling suburban neighborhoods.
Average local wages lag behind the rapid appreciation in housing costs, creating affordability strains.
Inversion layers in the winter can trap cold air and wood smoke in the valley.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares and Interstate 90 during peak commuting hours.
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
Post Falls
#84Idaho, USA
68.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,550
Avg Salary
$61,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
49.30°F
Pop. Growth
3.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
77
Business
72
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