Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Arvada +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Arvada
82.8%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Arvada +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Arvada +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 4.8% | Arvada + |
| White | 82.8% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.0% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Arvada + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 9.5% | Arvada + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Arvada +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $98,686 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $47,751 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,074 | Arvada + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 44.4% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.8% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.4% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.5% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.3% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Arvada +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Arvada + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Arvada has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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