Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 124,865 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 20.4% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 9.5% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $57,074 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $534,732 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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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