Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Madison
73.0%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 124,865 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.4 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 4.8% | Madison + |
| White | 73.0% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 7.1% | 1.6% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 2.1% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $47,751 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $57,074 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 44.4% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $534,732 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Meridian
8.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.2% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 23.6 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Madison. 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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