Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Berkeley +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.4 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 4.8% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 7.4% | 1.6% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 9.5% | Berkeley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $98,686 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $47,751 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 44.4% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 28.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA