Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Boise
83.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 124,865 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 4.8% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.4% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.1% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Meridian
$57,074
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $47,751 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $57,074 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 44.4% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $534,732 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Meridian
251
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Meridian
958
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 251 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 958 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA