Performance
Score Breakdown
Zachary
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rexburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
33% higher compared to Zachary.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zachary's average rent is
44% higher than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Zachary | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,044 | +44% |
| Groceries | $450 | $262 | +72% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,500 | $1,886 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Zachary offers 64% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Zachary delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Zachary is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Rexburg.
| Metric | Zachary | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,708 idx | 34,078 idx |
| Household Income | $84,480 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zachary | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Zachary.
Zachary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zachary leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zachary | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rexburg is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Zachary.
From a growth perspective, Zachary 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 | Zachary | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,842 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.07% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zachary
Advantages
Zachary's median household income of $84,480 in 2024 is higher than the national average, indicating a strong economic base for its residents.
The city boasts a violent crime rate of 0.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 94% below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
Housing costs in Zachary are 6% lower than the national average, contributing to a lower overall cost of living.
Lane Regional Medical Center, a 139-bed regional healthcare system established in 1960, provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services to Zachary and surrounding areas.
Zachary's public schools are highly rated, making it an attractive location for families seeking quality education for their children.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Zachary stands at 6.8%, which is higher than the typical considered rate of 4% to 5%.
While Zachary has a lower violent crime rate, its property crime rate is 20 per one thousand population, which is considered above average when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes.
Zachary's average rent of $1,500 per month is higher than the national average rent of $1,464 in the previous year, indicating a slight increase in rental costs.
The average commute time in Zachary is 27.7 minutes, which is longer than the national average commute time.
Zachary's median home value of $270,591 is higher than the national median home value of $251,418.
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.
Zachary
#28Louisiana, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.07%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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