Meridian ID vs Nashua NH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Nashua
16.4%
Nashua +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Nashua
75.1%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Nashua
2.6%
Nashua +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Nashua
7.6%
Nashua +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 91,131 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.7 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 16.4% | Nashua + |
| White | 84.3% | 75.1% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.6% | Nashua + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.6% | Nashua + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 14.0% | Nashua + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Nashua
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Nashua
40.5%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $92,457 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $75,331 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 7.1% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 40.5% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 56.4% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Nashua
1048
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1048 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Nashua
15.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 33.2% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.8% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.9% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Nashua
27.6 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua 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 Nashua 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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