Centennial CO 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)

Centennial, CO

Colorado · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$650,791
  • 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
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
4.8%
White
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Centennial +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
2.4%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
44.4%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Centennial
$650,791
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
76.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Meridian
958
Meridian +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Meridian
10.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Meridian
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Centennial +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Centennial
N/A
Meridian
23.6 min

Which City is Right for You?

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 512 in Centennial. Centennial has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Centennial & Meridian