El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Meridian
4.8%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 124,865 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 4.8% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 3.6% | 1.6% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 9.5% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $57,074 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $534,732 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
33.8%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.6% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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%.
Compare More Cities
El Paso, TX vs New York, NYEl Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs El Paso, TXEl Paso, TX vs Houston, TXEl Paso, TX vs Phoenix, AZEl Paso, TX vs Philadelphia, PA