How much does it cost to live in Idaho?
According to the U.S. News & Report, Idaho has been the fourth-most popular state to relocate to in recent years. The low cost of living in Idaho is definitely contributing to the move, so let's take a deeper look at what it takes to make a life in the Gem State.
Idaho's cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Based on a U.S. average of 100, Idaho ranks 97.7 on the cost of living index when compared to other U.S. states. According to Bureau of Economic Analysis statistics for 2020, you can estimate to spend approximately $35,459 per year on total personal consumption.
Cost of Living Parameters
Housing & Rent
According to Zillow, the average Idaho home value in late 2021 was around $446,000, $32,000 more expensive than the national average of $408,800.
Rent prices soared up to 12.4% in 2020 in the Gem state. A typical 2-bedroom apartment in Idaho will cost you on average between $843 per month.
Utilities
Apartment utilities refer to the essential services required in a home such as gas, water, electricity, cable, and internet. On average, an Idaho resident will spend up to $279 per month for apartment utilities.
Approximate cost of each utility per month in Idaho:
- Electricity: $95
- Water: $38
- Gas: $53
- Cable & Internet: $93
Childcare
In Idaho, parents can expect to spend $865 or more per child on a monthly basis, which adds up to $10,380 per year.
Here’s a look at the average annual childcare costs from infant to college:
- Infant: $7,474
- 4-year-old: $6,4541
- School: $8,3092
- College: $7,247
Food & Groceries
The typical Idaho resident spends $3,243 per year on groceries, or $270 per month. For a family of four, the amount of money needed to cover the basic expenses for groceries increases to $11,106 per year, or $925.5 per month.
The average price for eating out would be:
- A basic meal with a drink at an inexpensive restaurant: $14.2
- Fast Food Combo (Big Mac etc.): $7.8
- Bottle of Coca-Cola: $1.92
- Bottle of Water: $1.14
Grocery shopping in the state would cost as follows:
- Milk (regular), (1 liter): $0.82
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g): $2.55
- Rice (1 Kg):$3.31
- Eggs (regular) (12): $2.12
- 4 Rolls of toilet paper: $3.91
- Hair Shampoo: $4.87
Transportation
Per the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the average yearly transportation cost for a single person is about $4,900, while a family of four can expect to spend approximately $13,317 per year on transportation.
Public transportation is inconsistent throughout the state of Idaho. If you live outside of Idaho's major cities like Boise, Moscow, or Idaho Falls, you will most likely have to rely on your own vehicle to get around. According to iSeeCars.com, the average price of a used car in Idaho is $26,662 – the fifth-highest price in the US. This is a 7.9% increase above the national average of $24,710.
On the bright side, Idaho has no vehicle property tax and some of the lowest car insurance rates in the country. You'll only have to pay an average of $80 per month for car insurance and $385 per year for routine maintenance and repairs. You should also budget approximately $100 each month for gas and $45 to $69 to register your vehicle in the state. Overall, you should allocate $400 each month for vehicle-related expenses.
Most Expensive Idaho Cities to Live in
- Sandpoint
- Rexburg
- Coeur d'Alene
- Hayden
- Garden City
Why is disability insurance important to have in Idaho?
As shown by the above cost of living study, a steady income is required to live comfortably and worry-free. Whether you work full-time or as a freelancer, getting disability insurance is the first step towards financial stability.
What would happen if you found yourself unable to earn a paycheck because you were too ill or injured to work? According to a recent survey conducted by the personal financial website Bankrate, more than half of Americans (51%) have less than three months' worth of emergency funds.
Medical bills are reported to be the number one cause of U.S. bankruptcies. One study has claimed that 62.1% of bankruptcies were caused by medical issues. Other studies show that over 2 million people are adversely affected by their medical expenses.
If medical bills start piling up, you’ll no longer be able to support your lifestyle in other areas as well, especially if your income is on hold. You might find yourself unable to pay for utilities and rent, and that eventually could lead to foreclosure. Half of foreclosures on conventional mortgages in Idaho are caused by the disability of one of the homeowners. In fact, the foreclosure rate in Idaho has seen an increase from the past years (nearly one in every 30,150 households).
A lot of people still think that the need for disability insurance is not top priority, thinking that disability rarely happens, and when it does, it’s only caused by serious accidents. But did you know that up to 90% of disability cases recorded are due to illness, not injury?
With that being said, getting a private disability income insurance should be on top of your to-do list because life is unpredictable but your income shouldn’t be.
Does Idaho have state disability insurance?
Only 5 states in the U.S. require companies to provide their employees with disability insurance coverage that includes benefits for accidents or illnesses sustained outside of the workplace. Unfortunately, Idaho isn’t among these states. The only automatic coverage that Idahoans have addresses occupational illnesses or injuries (Workers Compensation) or ailments that last for one year or longer (Social Security).
If you’re applying for Social Security Disability Benefits in the state, the Idaho Disability Determination Services (DDS) handles the medical assessment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability claims for the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, it’s very typical for initial claims to be rejected. In fact 35% of applicants are rejected in the initial application process.
As a result, if you don't have enough money to cover six months of missed pay due to an off-the-job accident, sickness, or pregnancy, you might want to take proactive efforts to secure your income such as applying for private disability insurance policies.
What qualifies as disability in Idaho?
If you have disability insurance provided by your employer, make sure to double check the criteria in the agreement that qualifies you to receive disability benefits when you’re unable to work. Some of these criteria can include the following:
- You are unable to perform the Substantial and Material Duties of your Regular Occupation as shown on the Schedule and;
- You are under the Regular Care of a Physician appropriate for your disabling Sickness or Injury and;
- There is no reasonable simplified worksite modification(s) which would allow you to perform one or more of the Substantial and Material duties of your regular job.
How can I easily get disability insurance in Idaho?
Seeking a private disability insurance policy is the easiest option in Idaho. Here at Asteya, we offer disability insurance (or disability income insurance as we like to call it) that’s simple, fast, and affordable. Our 100% digital process means we don’t tire you out with proof of income, medical exams, phone interviews, or wait times, so you can go from applicant to insured in no time.
Who qualifies for disability insurance in Idaho?
Most insurances are bought to protect homes, vehicles, and health, but our most valuable asset tends to get neglected: our income. 70% of working Americans live paycheck to paycheck, with little savings to buffer the financial burden of a disability that leaves them unable to work.
At Asteya, we offer 2 types of disability income insurance: Permanent Disability Income Insurance and Sickness & Injury Disability Income Insurance. Please visit asteya.world for more details on the eligibility of our product offering.
How much does disability insurance in Idaho cost?
Protecting your income shouldn’t be a luxury, so here at Asteya, we’ve created affordable and easy solutions that won’t drain what you’re trying to protect (your income!). Our prices start as low as:
- Permanent Disability Income Insurance: starting at $6.05/month
- Long-Term Disability Income Insurance: starting at is $5/month
The bottom line
On average, living in the state of Idaho will cost you $2,954 per month, give or take – that’s a lot of expenses! 10 You've invested a lot of time and hard work in building a life that works for you, and your hard work should not go to waste due to an accident or illness. That’s why you should protect your lifestyle and your income with DI.
If you're still on the fence about whether disability income insurance is for you (hint: it is), here are a few extra points to consider while thinking about it:
- Asteya’s applications are 100% digital. We don't require blood tests or doctor's appointments, unlike other insurers and we'll just ask you a few minutes of questions to determine your best policy.
- Get paid out directly on an approved claim and spend without restrictions once it's in your bank account.
- We've made our Income Insurance as inclusive and accessible as possible. From corner store employee to corner office executive, our products were created to fit every budget and lifestyle.