Jacksonville 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 124,865 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 4.8% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 30.1% | 1.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 2.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 9.5% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $57,074 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $534,732 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Jacksonville, 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
Jacksonville
34.8%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Jacksonville. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Jacksonville 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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