Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 124,865 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 4.8% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 21.6% | 1.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 9.5% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,074 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 44.4% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $534,732 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
31.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 23.6 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Gainesville 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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