đź“Š Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Pocatello and Los Angeles
Head-to-Head Analysis
Pocatello vs Los Angeles
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
đź“‹ The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Pocatello | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $57,931 | $79,701 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.5% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $310,000 | $1,002,500 |
| Price per SqFt | $162 | $616 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $751 | $2,006 |
| Housing Cost Index | 70.9 | 173.0 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 100.0 | 107.9 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.40 | $3.98 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 242.6 | 732.5 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 39.2% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 65 | 52 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
Los Angeles vs. Pocatello: The Ultimate Head-to-Head Showdown
You’re standing at a crossroads. On one side, the glittering, chaotic, sun-drenched sprawl of Los Angeles—the city of dreams, traffic, and a million-dollar median home price. On the other, the quiet, affordable, high-desert charm of Pocatello, Idaho—where your dollar stretches, the mountains loom large, and the population barely cracks 60,000.
Choosing between these two is like picking between a Ferrari and a pickup truck. Both will get you where you need to go, but the ride, the cost, and the destination are worlds apart. As your relocation expert, I’m not just throwing stats at you. I’m here to cut through the noise with data, a little grit, and some plain-talk advice to help you decide where to plant your roots.
Let’s break it down, piece by piece.
The Vibe Check: Culture & Lifestyle
Los Angeles is less a city and more a sprawling ecosystem. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy, global hub where ambition is the local currency. The culture is a vibrant, relentless mash-up of industries—entertainment, tech, aerospace, fashion, and food. You’ll find world-class museums, cutting-edge cuisine, and a beach for every mood. But it’s also a city of transplants; you can live there for years and never feel like you truly belong. The vibe is "hustle," and the pace is relentless. It’s for the go-getters, the creators, the networkers, and those who thrive on the energy of millions of people packed within a metro area.
Pocatello is the antithesis. It’s a self-contained, tight-knit community nestled in the shadow of the Portneuf Range. The pace is slow, deliberate, and deeply connected to the outdoors. Life revolves around the seasons—hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, and enjoying a quiet evening under a sky so clear you can see the Milky Way. It’s a place where you know your neighbors, shop local, and measure distance in minutes, not miles. The vibe is "community" and "adventure." It’s for those seeking a simpler, more grounded existence, where nature is the main attraction and stress is a foreign concept.
Who it’s for:
- Los Angeles: The ambitious professional, the aspiring artist, the foodie, the social butterfly, and anyone who craves the anonymity and opportunity of a mega-city.
- Pocatello: The outdoor enthusiast, the remote worker seeking a lower cost of living, the family wanting a safe, community-focused upbringing, and the retiree looking for peace and natural beauty.
The Dollar Power: Cost of Living & Salary
This is where the "sticker shock" hits hard. Let’s talk purchasing power—where your paycheck actually goes.
The first thing to understand is the Housing Index. Los Angeles sits at 173.0, meaning housing costs are 73% higher than the national average. Pocatello’s index is 70.9, meaning housing is 29% below the national average. That’s the foundational difference.
Here’s the raw data:
| Category | Los Angeles | Pocatello | The Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $1,002,500 | $310,000 | LA is 3.2x more expensive. This is the single biggest factor. |
| 1BR Rent | $2,006 | $751 | You could rent 2.7 apartments in Pocatello for the price of one in LA. |
| Median Income | $79,701 | $57,931 | LA pays more, but does it go far enough? |
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 732.5 | 242.6 | LA's rate is 3x higher. A major quality-of-life factor. |
| Avg. High Temp | 73°F | 62°F | LA's climate is mild; Pocatello has true seasons, including cold winters. |
Salary Wars: The $100k Test
Let’s play a game. If you earn $100,000 in Los Angeles, your take-home pay after California’s steep state income tax (which can be up to 13.3% for high earners) is roughly $72,000. In Idaho, with a much lower state income tax (top bracket is 6.5%), your take-home on the same salary is closer to $76,000. You keep more of your money in Idaho.
But the real story is purchasing power. In Los Angeles, that $72,000 is fighting a losing battle against a $1,002,500 median home price. In Pocatello, that $76,000 is a king’s ransom against a $310,000 median home. Your $100k salary in Pocatello provides a lifestyle that would require a salary of well over $200k in Los Angeles to match. That’s the "bang for your buck" factor.
Insight: Los Angeles offers higher nominal salaries, but Pocatello offers vastly superior purchasing power. If you can secure a remote job paying a LA-level salary and live in Pocatello, you’ve unlocked a financial superpower.
The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent
Los Angeles: A Seller’s Market on Steroids
Buying in LA is a monumental task for most. With a median home price of $1,002,500, you’re looking at a $200,000+ down payment just to avoid PMI. Competition is fierce; bidding wars are standard, and all-cash offers often win. The market is brutally competitive, favoring those with significant capital or high dual incomes. Renting is the default for a huge portion of the population, but even that is a financial burden.
Pocatello: An Accessible Buyer’s Market
Pocatello is a breath of fresh air for aspiring homeowners. A $310,000 home requires a down payment of $62,000 (20%), which is more manageable. The market is far less cutthroat. While inventory isn’t infinite, you’re not typically competing against 15 other offers. This is a market where you can actually buy a home without feeling like you’ve entered a battlefield.
The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life
Traffic & Commute
- Los Angeles: This is non-negotiable. The infamous "LA traffic" is a daily reality. The average commute can easily be 45-60 minutes each way. Public transit exists but is often impractical for a true city-wide commute. This eats into your time, sanity, and fuel budget.
- Pocatello: Traffic is a joke here. The city is small and grid-planned. The longest commute you’ll face is likely 15-20 minutes, and that’s if you live on the far side of town. You gain back hours of your life every week.
Weather
- Los Angeles: The headline is 54°F average, but that’s misleading. It has a Mediterranean climate: mild, dry, and sunny year-round. Summers are warm but rarely brutal, winters are cool and damp. The biggest downside is the lack of distinct seasons and the "June Gloom" marine layer.
- Pocatello: True seasons. Winters are cold and snowy (you’ll need a snow shovel and a good coat). Summers are warm and dry. The 38°F average is dragged down by those winter months. If you love snow sports and crisp autumn air, it’s paradise. If you hate winter, it’s a dealbreaker.
Crime & Safety
- Los Angeles: The violent crime rate of 732.5 per 100k is a stark reality. While many neighborhoods are safe, crime is a pervasive concern. You must be vigilant about your surroundings, property, and personal safety in a way that doesn’t exist in Pocatello.
- Pocatello: With a violent crime rate of 242.6 per 100k, it’s significantly safer. It’s the kind of place where people leave their doors unlocked and kids ride bikes to the park alone. This is a massive, tangible difference in daily peace of mind.
🏆 THE VERDICT: Who Wins?
Winner for Families: Pocatello
Hands down. The combination of safe streets, excellent public schools (Pocatello/Chubbuck School District is highly rated), affordable housing, and unlimited outdoor activities for kids is unbeatable. You can own a home with a yard, enroll your kids in soccer and hiking, and not worry about your commute or violent crime. The financial relief alone reduces family stress exponentially.
Winner for Singles/Young Pros: Los Angeles
If you can afford it. For career acceleration in entertainment, tech, or creative fields, LA’s network and opportunity are unparalleled. The social scene, nightlife, restaurants, and cultural events are on a different planet. It’s the place to build a career, make connections, and experience the energy of a global city. The trade-off is financial strain and a slower pace of life if you move to Pocatello, which can feel isolating for a young, ambitious single person.
Winner for Retirees: Pocatello
It’s not even close. For retirees on a fixed income, LA is a financial nightmare. Pocatello offers low costs, low taxes, safe communities, and stunning natural beauty for recreation. The slower pace is ideal for a leisurely retirement, and the strong sense of community combats loneliness. The only caveat is the cold winter; if you have health issues exacerbated by cold or snow, it might be a concern.
Final Pros & Cons
LOS ANGELES
Pros:
- World-class career opportunities and industries.
- Unmatched cultural diversity, food, and entertainment.
- Iconic geography (beaches, mountains, deserts).
- Mild, sunny weather year-round.
- Global connectivity (major airport).
Cons:
- Extreme cost of living (especially housing).
- Brutal traffic and long commutes.
- High state income taxes and overall expenses.
- Significant safety concerns in many areas.
- Fast-paced, competitive, and can feel isolating.
POCATELLO
Pros:
- Radically affordable housing and cost of living.
- Extremely safe with a low crime rate.
- Incredible access to outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing, fishing).
- Tight-knit, friendly community with a small-town feel.
- Short commutes and less daily stress.
Cons:
- Limited career opportunities outside of education, healthcare, and retail.
- Harsh, snowy winters.
- Fewer cultural amenities, dining, and entertainment options.
- Can feel isolated or "boring" for those used to city life.
- Smaller, regional airport with fewer direct flights.
The Bottom Line: This choice is fundamentally about lifestyle over logistics. Are you chasing the dream of global opportunity, willing to pay the price in money and stress? That’s Los Angeles. Or are you seeking a life where community, nature, and financial freedom take center stage? That’s Pocatello. Listen to what you crave most, and let that guide your decision.