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
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