Colorado Springs 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 124,865 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.4 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 5.8% | 1.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 9.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $57,074 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $534,732 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 28.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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