Performance
Score Breakdown
Broomfield
Rexburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Broomfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
63% lower compared to Rexburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Broomfield's average rent is
100% lower than Rexburg's.
| Metric | Broomfield | Rexburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,044 | -100% |
| Groceries | $400 | $262 | +53% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $700 | $1,886 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 116 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Rexburg offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Broomfield | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $39,531 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $123,874 | $50,617 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Broomfield | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 44.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rexburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Broomfield.
Rexburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rexburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Broomfield | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 16.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Broomfield is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Rexburg.
From a growth perspective, Broomfield 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 | Broomfield | Rexburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,154 | 47,466 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.24% | 0.32% |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 21.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Broomfield
Advantages
Broomfield consistently ranks high for safety, named the #1 safest midsize city in the U.S. by SmartAsset.
The city boasts a high livability score of 85/100, ranking in the 98th percentile nationally.
Broomfield has a strong and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.43% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time of 25.5 minutes is efficient for a metro area of its size, aided by good regional access via US 36.
The city offers extensive open spaces and recreational opportunities, including over 8,000 acres of trails and parks.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Broomfield is approximately 20% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing costs.
Broomfield has a low Walk Score of 16 and a Transit Score of 10, indicating high car dependency.
While overall crime is low, the overall crime rate is higher than the average US city when considering all crime types.
The housing market is considered overvalued relative to local economic output, with a housing ratio of 10.4x.
Some residents express concerns about environmental factors like air quality from wildfire smoke and past issues related to Rocky Flats.
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.
Broomfield
#28Colorado, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
16.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.24%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
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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