Coeur d’Alene
Idaho, USA
#6 in USA
78
Overall Score
VS
Moscow
Idaho, USA
#16 in USA
75
Overall Score
Coeur d’Alene scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Coeur d’Alene
Moscow
Livability
85
87
Affordability
50
55
Business
75
65
Growth
80
60

Cost of Living

Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 107% higher compared to Coeur d’Alene. Housing costs are a major driver: Coeur d’Alene's average rent is 31% higher than Moscow's.
MetricCoeur d’AleneMoscowDiff
Average Rent
$1,750$1,338+31%
Groceries
$450$00%
Utilities
$200$00%
Transport
$120$00%
Healthcare
$250$00%
Monthly Total
$2,770$1,338+107%
Cost Index
112111out of 100

Salary & Income

Moscow offers 18% 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 Coeur d’Alene is estimated at $72,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
MetricCoeur d’AleneMoscow
Average Salary
$62,000$76,000
Salary Needed
$72,000$84,360
Purchasing Power
55,357 idx68,468 idx
Household Income
$72,338$57,022

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricCoeur d’AleneMoscow
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
65.00%%

Commute & Transport

Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Coeur d’Alene. 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.
MetricCoeur d’AleneMoscow
Commute Time
25 min14 min
Transit Score
30.0/1045.0/10
Walkability
40.0/1048.0/10
Traffic Index
40.0040.00
Car Dependency
HighMedium

Economy & Demographics

Coeur d’Alene is the larger city — approximately 2.2x the population of Moscow. From a growth perspective, Coeur d’Alene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
MetricCoeur d’AleneMoscow
Population
58,78526,286
Pop. Growth
1.04%0.80%
Median Age
40.025.7
Unemployment
3.00%3.00%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Coeur d’Alene
Advantages
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities centered around Lake Coeur d'Alene and surrounding mountains
Strong and diversifying economy with significant job growth in sectors like healthcare, tourism, and technology
High quality of life and community atmosphere, often rated highly
Well-regarded healthcare system anchored by Kootenai Health
Scenic natural beauty contributing to a desirable lifestyle
Drawbacks
Housing costs, both for rent and home purchase, are significantly above the national average
Car dependency due to limited public transit and moderate walkability scores
Traffic can be a concern during peak tourist seasons
Economic reliance on tourism can lead to seasonal fluctuations
Cost of living is generally higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses
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.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Coeur d’Alene
#6
Idaho, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.04%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
85
Business
75
View Full Profile
Moscow
#16
Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
View Full Profile

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