It costs more to get by in rural Idaho than it does in Boise, the state's population center. That's according to the Economic Policy Institute's family budget calculator.
A family of four living in Boise needs $56,491 per year. A family of four in rural Idaho needs $58,071.
Here's a comparison of what it costs for a family of four, two parents and two children, to live in four different parts of Idaho.
Data source: Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator
EPI's calculator measures the cost of housing, food, transportation, health care, child care, taxes and other necessities to determine a "secure and modest" cost of living. This calculator is available for 615 areas and six family types.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau Idaho's median household income in 2011 was $43,341. That means half of Idaho households make less than that each year.
You can read about EPI's methodology here. Here is the interactive calculator.