Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 124,865 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.4 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.8% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 46.8% | 1.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.5% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $57,074 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $534,732 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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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