True Cost of Renting in Pocatello

Pocatello is southeastern Idaho's major city, anchored by Idaho State University (ISU, 12,000+ students) and a legacy industrial base from Union Pacific Railroad and FMC Technologies. Rents are among the lowest in the Mountain West, and the combination of ISU enrollment and stable industrial employment provides steady demand without the California-migration-driven spikes that hit Boise.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Old Town Pocatello

Studio:
$700/mo
1 Bed:
$900/mo
2 Bed:
$1,300/mo

Pocatello's historic core near ISU campus; older apartment buildings with character. Idaho Power electric with low rates. Winter heating budget $100–130/mo at 4,450 ft elevation. Walking distance to ISU.

Chubbuck / North Pocatello

1 Bed:
$950/mo
2 Bed:
$1,350/mo

Suburban area north of downtown; newer apartment complexes along I-15. Car-dependent but lower rents than downtown. Good access to I-86 and I-15 for regional employment.

Utility Providers

Electric
Idaho Power
Water
City of Pocatello Water Division
Internet
Sparklight (Cable One), Lumen Technologies, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

I-15 and I-86 intersect at Pocatello. ISU is the primary employer. FMC Technologies' food machinery division and Union Pacific's regional operations provide industrial employment. Idaho Falls is 55 miles north on I-15, enabling some cross-city commutes. The Idaho National Laboratory (nuclear energy research) in Idaho Falls generates some spillover demand.

Rental Market Overview

Pocatello offers some of the Mountain West's lowest rents. Idaho Power rates are competitive. ISU drives the student rental market with August and January turnover cycles. Industrial employment provides stable non-student demand. Limited new apartment construction keeps supply tight relative to the student population. Renters insurance averages $10–13/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Pocatello

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Pocatello: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Pocatello?
One-bedroom apartments in Pocatello range from $900/month in Old Town Pocatello to $950/month in Chubbuck / North Pocatello. Two-bedroom units range from $1,300 to $1,350/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Pocatello?
In Pocatello, electricity is provided by Idaho Power, water by City of Pocatello Water Division, and common internet providers include Sparklight (Cable One), Lumen Technologies, T-Mobile Home Internet. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Pocatello?
Old Town Pocatello is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Pocatello, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $900/month. Pocatello's historic core near ISU campus; older apartment buildings with character. Idaho Power electric with low rates. Winter heating budget $100–130/mo at 4,450 ft elevation. Walking distance to ISU. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Pocatello expensive to rent in?
Pocatello offers some of the Mountain West's lowest rents. Idaho Power rates are competitive. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Pocatello — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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