Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
4.8%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
84.3%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 124,865 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.4 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 84.3% | - |
| Black | N/A | 1.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
2.4%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
6.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $98,686 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $47,751 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $57,074 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 2.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 6.2% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 44.4% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
76.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $534,732 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 76.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 15.5% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 294 in Grand Island. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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