Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 124,865 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 4.8% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 76.8% | 1.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $57,074 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $534,732 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.6% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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