Performance
Score Breakdown
New York City
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
147% higher compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: New York City's average rent is
224% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | New York City | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,382 | $1,044 | +224% |
| Groceries | $520 | $262 | +98% |
| Utilities | $370 | $180 | +106% |
| Transport | $130 | $150 | -13% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $4,652 | $1,886 | +147% |
| Cost Index | 178 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 155% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, New York City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in New York City is estimated at
$61,000 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | New York City | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $100,877 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,672 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $80,483 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | New York City | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 63.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,500 minutes (208 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | New York City | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 43 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 88.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 89.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 167.60 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 180.9x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Rexburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rexburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | New York City | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,585,000 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $1,354.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
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.
New York City
#92New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
Rexburg
#28Idaho, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,044
Avg Salary
$39,531
Cost Index
116
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.32%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
68
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