Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Irvine +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 124,865 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.4 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 4.8% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 2.0% | 1.6% | Irvine + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 2.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 9.5% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $98,686 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $47,751 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 44.4% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 28.8% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.4% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 15.5% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 8.2% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.6% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.3% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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