Cost of Living in Idaho
Living cost indices for Idaho vs national average. Source: BLS / ACCRA 2022
ACCRA Cost of Living Index · Data as of 2022 · Updated annually
100.5
Overall Cost of Living Index
+0.5% above national avg
National average = 100
🏠
105
Housing Index
🛒
99.5
Groceries Index
🏥
99
Healthcare Index
🚗
96
Transportation Index
Cost Index vs National Average (100)
Green = below national average · Red = above national average
Cost of Living in Idaho
Idaho has an overall cost of living index of 100.5, which is +0.5% above national avg. Housing is the biggest factor at an index of 105 (national average = 100). This means housing in Idaho is 5% more expensive than the national average.
The cost of living index compares prices for consumer goods and services across US states. An index above 100 means living costs are higher than the national average; below 100 means lower.
Category Breakdown
- Housing (105): Above national average for home prices and rent.
- Groceries (99.5): Food costs are lower than the US average.
- Healthcare (99): Medical costs are lower than national norms.
- Transportation (96): Gas, insurance, and transit costs are lower than average.
Data Source
Cost of living data from the MERIC and ACCRA Cost of Living Index 2022, public data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a cost of living index of 100 mean?▾
An index of 100 represents the national average. If a state has an index of 120, it means living costs are 20% higher than average. An index of 85 means 15% cheaper. The index is a composite of housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services.
Is Idaho expensive to live in?▾
Idaho has an overall cost of living index of 100.5, placing it +0.5% above national avg. The most significant factor is housing (105), followed by healthcare (99) and groceries (99.5). It's close to the national average.
Which states have the lowest cost of living?▾
States with the lowest cost of living are generally in the Midwest and South: Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas consistently rank as the most affordable. States with the highest cost of living include Hawaii, California, New York, Massachusetts, and Alaska.
Does cost of living affect salaries?▾
Yes, but imperfectly. Salaries in high cost-of-living areas (like San Francisco or New York) are typically higher to compensate, but often don't fully offset the higher costs. Remote work has changed this dynamic — many workers now earn high-COL salaries while living in low-COL states.