Albany NY vs Meridian ID — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Albany
53.0%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 4.8% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 26.6% | 1.6% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 2.1% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 9.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,074 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 44.4% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $534,732 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 23.6 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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