Cambridge MA 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 37.4 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 4.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 10.5% | 1.6% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 2.1% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $98,686 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $47,751 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $57,074 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 44.4% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 8.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 8.2% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.3% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, 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 326 in Cambridge. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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