City Comparison
Nampa vs Ammon
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ammon scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nampa
Ammon
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nampa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Ammon.
| Metric | Nampa | Ammon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,450 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $165 | $170 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,335 | $2,395 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 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 Nampa is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Ammon.
| Metric | Nampa | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $65,420 | $78,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nampa runs warmer on average — a 7°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Ammon sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nampa | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 49.20°F |
| Summer High | 90.80°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 27.70°F | 18.60°F |
| Rainfall | 16.10 in | 12.60 in |
| Snowfall | 13.80 in | 30.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 292 | 289 |
| Humidity | 48.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ammon has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Nampa.
For walkability, Ammon leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nampa | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nampa is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x 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 | Nampa | Ammon |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,859 | 17,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 2.20% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nampa
Advantages
Median home prices in Nampa remain more affordable than neighboring Boise per Zillow 2024 data.
Abundant sunshine with approximately 292 sunny days per year supports an active outdoor lifestyle.
Strategic I-84 access provides strong connectivity to the broader Treasure Valley employment market.
Host to the historic and nationally renowned Snake River Stampede rodeo event.
Proactive economic development has attracted major employers like Amazon and industrial parks.
Drawbacks
Rapid population growth has created notable traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along I-84.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for residents.
Housing affordability has declined significantly over recent years due to high regional demand.
Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring heavy air conditioning usage.
Winter inversions can occasionally trap particulate matter in the Treasure Valley air basin.
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.
Nampa
#191Idaho, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
292/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
71
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
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