Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 124,865 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.4 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 4.8% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 6.7% | 1.6% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.1% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 9.5% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $534,732 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.6% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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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