Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Meridian
37.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 124,865 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 4.8% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 5.2% | 1.6% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.1% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 9.5% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $98,686 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $47,751 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,074 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 44.4% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $534,732 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 28.8% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 15.5% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.6% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.3% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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