Idaho cost of living edging up

An Idaho Department of Labor report shows Idaho’s cost of living has increased slightly.

University of Idaho economist Steven Peterson said the increase could be attributed to a recovering housing market.

The Idaho Department of Labor report puts Idaho’s cost of living at about 93 percent of the national average, up from about 92 percent in 2011. Peterson said Idaho is still a relatively inexpensive place to live, and the uptick could be an indicator of economic recovery.

Department of Labor spokesman Bob Fick notes that Idaho’s average wage of $36,000 a year ranked 50th among the states while the cost of living was 31st in 2012, and that suggests that the difference in cost doesn’t make up for the low wages in Idaho.