Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.4 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 4.8% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.6% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 9.5% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $57,074 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $534,732 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.6% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Gresham. 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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