Salary Needed to Live in Pocatello as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $49,048/year to live comfortably in Pocatello, ID, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $49,048/year to live comfortably in Pocatello, ID. The bare-minimum salary is $42,329/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $2,907.
The minimum scenario leaves about $2,575/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,087/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$49,048
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$42,329
$3,527/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,575
27% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Pocatello
| Expense | Pocatello | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $664 | $1,351 | -51% |
| Groceries | $267 | $207 | +29% |
| Utilities | $158 | $169 | -7% |
| Transportation | $257 | $316 | -19% |
| Car Insurance | $125 | $215 | -42% |
| Health Insurance | $549 | $642 | -14% |
| Internet | $56 | $65 | -14% |
| Phone | $73 | $85 | -14% |
| Dining & Social | $258 | $300 | -14% |
| Entertainment | $103 | $120 | -14% |
| Personal Care | $65 | $75 | -13% |
| Total Monthly | $2,575 | $3,545 | -27% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$2,575
Target savings (10%):$332/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,907
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$49,048
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$664
Studio/1BR rent is 26% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus ID state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$332/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
Pocatello is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $664/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $555/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $42,329/year as the survival floor and $49,048/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Pocatello
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Pocatello?
A single person needs approximately $49,048/year ($4,087/month gross) to live comfortably in Pocatello with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Pocatello?
A studio/1br in Pocatello costs approximately $664/month, which is the largest single expense at 26% of the total budget.
Is Pocatello affordable for a single person?
Yes, Pocatello is 27% more affordable than the national average for a single person.