Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 124,865 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 4.8% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 60.0% | 1.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $57,074 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $534,732 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.6% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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