Corona CA 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Corona +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Corona +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Corona +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Corona
41.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Corona
5.3%
Corona +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Corona +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 124,865 | Corona + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.4 | Corona + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 4.8% | Corona + |
| White | 41.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.6% | Corona + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 2.1% | Corona + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 9.5% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Corona +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Corona +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $98,686 | Corona + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Corona + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
35.1%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.6% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | 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.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corona leads in median household income at $106,438, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Corona. 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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