Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Social Science Research Assistants salary really buy you in Idaho?
Idaho is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Idaho's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Social Science Research Assistants earning $62,570 in Idaho has the equivalent purchasing power of $68,159 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) | $48,770 | $53,126 | +$4,356 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $54,440 | $59,302 | +$4,862 |
| Median (P50) | $62,570 | $68,159 | +$5,589 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $63,860 | $69,564 | +$5,704 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $80,800 | $88,017 | +$7,217 |
A Social Science Research Assistants in Idaho earns $62,570 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $68,159 in an average-cost state. This makes Idaho one of the best value states for this occupation.
Idaho's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Social Science Research Assistants, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
After applying Idaho's RPP, the $62,570 median salary translates to $68,159 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Social Science Research Assistants.
Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Social Science Research Assistants, Idaho places #8 of 45 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.
Where does Social Science Research Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Idaho ranks #8 out of 45 states for Social Science Research Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Social Science Research Assistants take-home pay in Idaho after taxes →
A Social Science Research Assistants in Idaho earns a median salary of $62,570 per year. After adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $68,159 — 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: $62,570 x (100 / 91.8) = $68,159. 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.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.