Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 124,865 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.4 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 4.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 28.4% | 1.6% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 2.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 9.5% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $47,751 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,074 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $534,732 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Chicago. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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