Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Los Angeles +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 124,865 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.4 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 4.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 2.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 9.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 28.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 17.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, 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 Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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