Rexburg
Idaho, USA
#28 in USA
72
Overall Score
VS
Coeur d’Alene
Idaho, USA
#6 in USA
78
Overall Score
Coeur d’Alene scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Rexburg
Coeur d’Alene
Livability
75
85
Affordability
70
50
Business
68
75
Growth
65
80

Cost of Living

Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 32% lower compared to Coeur d’Alene. Housing costs are a major driver: Rexburg's average rent is 40% lower than Coeur d’Alene's.
MetricRexburgCoeur d’AleneDiff
Average Rent
$1,044$1,750-40%
Groceries
$262$450-42%
Utilities
$180$200-10%
Transport
$150$120+25%
Healthcare
$250$2500%
Monthly Total
$1,886$2,770-32%
Cost Index
116112out of 100

Salary & Income

Coeur d’Alene offers 36% lower average salaries. However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Coeur d’Alene delivers stronger purchasing power — meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day. The minimum comfortable salary in Rexburg is estimated at $55,000 vs $72,000 in Coeur d’Alene.
MetricRexburgCoeur d’Alene
Average Salary
$39,531$62,000
Salary Needed
$55,000$72,000
Purchasing Power
34,078 idx55,357 idx
Household Income
$50,617$72,338

Climate Comparison

Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
MetricRexburgCoeur d’Alene
Avg Temp
°F°F
Summer High
°F°F
Winter Low
°F°F
Rainfall
in in
Snowfall
in in
Sunny Days
Humidity
66.00%65.00%

Commute & Transport

Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Coeur d’Alene. For walkability, Rexburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricRexburgCoeur d’Alene
Commute Time
18 min25 min
Transit Score
30.0/1030.0/10
Walkability
42.0/1040.0/10
Traffic Index
45.0040.00
Car Dependency
HighHigh

Economy & Demographics

Coeur d’Alene is the larger city — approximately 0.8x the population of Rexburg. From a growth perspective, Coeur d’Alene is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Coeur d’Alene has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricRexburgCoeur d’Alene
Population
47,46658,785
Pop. Growth
0.32%1.04%
Median Age
21.040.0
Unemployment
3.80%3.00%
GDP
$0.0B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

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.
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

Dive Deeper

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

Rexburg
#28
Idaho, 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
View Full Profile
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

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Rexburg and Coeur d’Alene.

Open Cost Calculator