Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Glendale
72.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 124,865 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.4 | Glendale + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 4.8% | Glendale + |
| White | 72.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 3.4% | 1.6% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 2.1% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 9.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Glendale +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $98,686 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $47,751 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $57,074 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 6.2% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 44.4% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $534,732 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Glendale. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
Compare More Cities
Glendale, AZ vs New York, NYGlendale, AZ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Glendale, AZGlendale, AZ vs Houston, TXGlendale, AZ vs Phoenix, AZGlendale, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA