Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Fullerton +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 124,865 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.4 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 4.8% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 2.1% | 1.6% | Fullerton + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 2.1% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 9.5% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $98,686 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $47,751 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 28.8% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 17.6% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.3% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fullerton, 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
Fullerton
32.5 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. 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, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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