What does a Social Science Research Assistants salary really buy you in Idaho?
Idaho is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Idaho's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Social Science Research Assistants earning $51,500 in Idaho has the equivalent purchasing power of $56,100 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Idaho's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $45,910 | $50,010 | +$4,100 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $50,370 | $54,869 | +$4,499 |
| Median (P50) | $51,500 | $56,100 | +$4,600 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $59,190 | $64,477 | +$5,287 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $86,410 | $94,128 | +$7,718 |
A Social Science Research Assistants in Idaho earns $51,500 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $56,100 in an average-cost state. This makes Idaho one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Social Science Research Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Idaho ranks #16 out of 39 states for Social Science Research Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Social Science Research Assistants in Idaho earns a median salary of $51,500 per year. After adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $56,100 — a +8.9% difference.
Idaho's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Idaho is 91.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Social Science Research Assistants in Idaho: $51,500 x (100 / 91.8) = $56,100. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Social Science Research Assistants in Idaho enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.