Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Meridian
4.8%
White
Casper
N/A
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Casper
N/A
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 124,865 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Meridian
2.4%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $98,686 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $47,751 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $57,074 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Meridian
76.1%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $534,732 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 76.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 251 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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