Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Allen
55.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 4.8% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 10.6% | 1.6% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.1% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 9.5% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $98,686 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $47,751 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 6.2% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 44.4% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $534,732 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 15.5% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.6% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.3% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. 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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