City Comparison
Ammon vs Rexburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ammon
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Ammon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ammon's average rent is
39% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Ammon | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,044 | +39% |
| Groceries | $420 | $262 | +60% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $115 | $150 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,395 | $1,886 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ammon offers 62% 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 $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | Ammon | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $50,617 |
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 | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Ammon 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 | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rexburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Ammon.
From a growth perspective, Ammon 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 | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,664 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 21.0 |
| 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.
Rexburg
Advantages
Low crime rates contribute to a high safety score and a family-friendly environment.
Affordable cost of living, particularly for housing and daily expenses, compared to national averages.
Strong sense of community and family-oriented atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of BYU-Idaho.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, with proximity to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Short average commute times, making daily travel more efficient.
Drawbacks
Limited nightlife and entertainment options, characteristic of a smaller, quieter town.
Harsh winters with significant snowfall and cold temperatures impact daily activities.
Housing market can be competitive, with desirable properties selling quickly.
Car dependency is high due to limited public transit options.
The median age is very low (21), indicating a strong student population which may influence the city's overall social dynamic.
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
Rexburg
#471Idaho, USA
54.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
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