Edinburg TX 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)
Edinburg, TX
Texas · Population: 102,561
- Median HH Income$57,789
- Median Home Price$217,077
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Edinburg
102,561
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edinburg
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Edinburg
29.9
Edinburg +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Edinburg
19.5%
Edinburg +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Edinburg
39.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Edinburg
1.9%
Edinburg +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Edinburg
2.5%
Edinburg +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Edinburg
85.8%
Edinburg +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Edinburg
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,561 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 37.4 | Edinburg + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 4.8% | Edinburg + |
| White | 39.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.9% | 1.6% | Edinburg + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Edinburg + |
| Hispanic | 85.8% | 9.5% | Edinburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edinburg
$57,789
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Edinburg
$27,278
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edinburg
$63,758
Edinburg +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Edinburg
6.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Edinburg
25.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Edinburg
28.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $57,789 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,278 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | Edinburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edinburg
$217,077
Edinburg +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Edinburg
52.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $217,077 | $534,732 | Edinburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
442
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edinburg
2339
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
42.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
14.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edinburg
17.9%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
32.3%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
18.2%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edinburg
11.7%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
74.0°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edinburg
24.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Edinburg
9.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edinburg
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edinburg
22.3 min
Edinburg +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Edinburg, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 23.6 min | Edinburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while edinburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $217,077. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Edinburg. 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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