Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.4 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 89.9% | 84.3% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $57,074 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $534,732 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 251 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 23.6 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Cheyenne 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cheyenne, WY vs New York, NYCheyenne, WY vs Los Angeles, CACheyenne, WY vs Chicago, ILCheyenne, WY vs Houston, TXCheyenne, WY vs Phoenix, AZCheyenne, WY vs Philadelphia, PA