Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 4.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.6% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.1% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 9.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $57,074 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $534,732 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 251 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.6% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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