Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 124,865 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 4.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 28.8% | 1.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 9.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $47,751 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,074 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $534,732 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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