Meridian ID vs New Haven CT — 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%
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 132,893 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 84.3% | 36.8% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $53,771 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $34,482 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 7.7% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 25.0% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 37.7% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 28.4% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
New Haven
1524
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1524 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 37.9% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.7% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.9% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.7% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.2% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
New Haven
52.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
New Haven
47.1 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and New Haven 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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