City Comparison
Mountain Home vs Folsom
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
California, USA
View Folsom profile
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Mountain Home scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Mountain Home
Folsom
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Mountain Home | Folsom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $115 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,150 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mountain Home offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Mountain Home runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Mountain Home comes out ahead with 296 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Mountain Home sees 22.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 296 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Mountain Home.
Mountain Home scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mountain Home leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mountain Home is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Mountain Home is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mountain Home | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 15,000 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 34.5 | |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | % |
| 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
Folsom
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
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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