City Comparison
Mountain Home vs Ammon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mountain Home
Ammon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mountain Home is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Ammon.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mountain Home's average rent is
14% lower than Ammon's.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Ammon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $115 | $115 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $2,395 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ammon offers 9% lower 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 Mountain Home is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Ammon.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $59,500 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mountain Home runs warmer on average — a 6.7°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Ammon sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | 49.20°F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 29.60°F | 18.60°F |
| Rainfall | 15.10 in | 12.60 in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | 30.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | 289 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Mountain Home leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Ammon is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Mountain Home.
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 | Mountain Home | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 17,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.20% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mountain Home
Advantages
Significantly lower housing costs and overall cost of living compared to nearby Boise and the national average
Strong local economy anchored by the Mountain Home Air Force Base providing career stability
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities nearby, including fishing, boating at CJ Strike Reservoir, and mountain access
Low crime rates and a safe, family-friendly community atmosphere
Easy access to metropolitan amenities in Boise via a convenient drive on Interstate 84
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure, resulting in high car dependency
Extreme summer high temperatures typical of the high desert climate
Fewer local entertainment, dining, and cultural options compared to larger cities
Economic reliance on the military installation can create unique housing market fluctuations
Limited local higher education institutions within the immediate city limits
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.
Mountain Home
#150Idaho, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
296/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
67
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Mountain Home and Ammon.
Open Cost Calculator