Escondido 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 4.8% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 0.6% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 2.1% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 9.5% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 28.8% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, 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
Escondido
31.6 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, 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 Escondido. 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, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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