Performance
Score Breakdown
Rexburg
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% higher compared to Rexburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rexburg's average rent is
22% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Rexburg | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,044 | $1,338 | -22% |
| Groceries | $262 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,886 | $1,338 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 116 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 48% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rexburg is estimated at
$55,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Rexburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,531 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,078 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $50,617 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rexburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Rexburg.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rexburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Rexburg is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rexburg | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,466 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.32% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 21.0 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
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.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Moscow
#16Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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