Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
4.8%
White
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 124,865 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
2.4%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $98,686 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $47,751 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $57,074 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
76.1%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $534,732 | Duluth + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 76.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 8.2% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Duluth. 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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