Idaho's slight cost-of-living climb in 2012 is likely another sign of a rebounding economy, a University of Idaho economist said.

The Idaho Department of Labor issued a report on Monday stating that Idaho's cost of living moved to 93.6 percent of the national average, up from 92.8 percent in 2011.

The increase moved Idaho from 32nd to 31st among the states.

Steven Peterson, UI economist, said a little inflation isn't necessarily a bad statistic.

"It may help jumpstart the economy out of its doldrums," Peterson said. "If this was a trend toward (much higher inflation), I'd be more concerned, but I don't think this is the case. This indicates there's a recovery."

Alivia Metts, Labor economist, said she believes Idaho's small hike is due to increasing costs for rent, groceries and gas.

She also cited consumer confidence coming around.

"The slight uptick in the index portrays a slight increase in consumption of goods and services as a result of a slight increase in personal income," she said.

Peterson said when Idaho's housing market recovery is tied to Idaho inching up the cost-of-living ladder, that's a positive sign.

"Idaho was hit hard by the housing slump," he said.

The state, Peterson said, is "well underway" toward economic recovery.

Monday's report does not break cost-of-living figures down to the county level. Idaho was one of 27 states and the District of Columbia to see the cost of living increase relative to the national average.

"Idaho is still a pretty inexpensive place to live," Peterson said.

The estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis' personal consumption expenditure calculations, not from the more-commonly cited Consumer Price Index, but both offer living cost comparisons among the states.

Idaho's increase returns the cost of living to 2008 levels when the national recession started to grip the state. At that time, Idaho ranked 32nd among states before dropping to 33rd in 2010 during the depths of the downturn.

In 2012, Idaho's average wage was $36,136 compared to the national average of $49,287.

"Considering that the average wage for Idaho ranked 50th among the states and (District of Columbia) while the cost of living was 31st in 2012, would suggest that the difference in the cost of living from the national average does not make up for the difference in wages from the national average," said Bob Fick, Idaho Department of Labor spokesman.

Fick said cost of living and wages are only two of the factors that people take into consideration when they make decisions about where they will live.

Fick said it's difficult to predict what will happen to Idaho's future based on the cost-of-living data the past two years.

"The percentage of the national average cost of living has been right around 93 percent since this statistic was developed in 2007," he said. "There have been ups and downs, but overall it has been relatively stable relative to the nation."

The state with the highest cost of living in 2012 was Delaware, according to the report. That state made the leap from No. 11 in 2011.

Hawaii was No. 2 in 2012, down from No. 1 the previous two years.

Mississippi was at the bottom in 2012.