Meridian ID vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 186,178 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.0 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 84.3% | 43.6% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 11.3% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
North Las Vegas
$62,696
North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $58,874 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $35,069 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $62,696 | North Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 9.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 16.8% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 23.9% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $407,146 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 41.2% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 460 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2417 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
16.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 33.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.2% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.7% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 19.6% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.1% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 4.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
Compare More Cities
Meridian, ID vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Meridian, IDChicago, IL vs Meridian, IDHouston, TX vs Meridian, IDMeridian, ID vs Phoenix, AZMeridian, ID vs Philadelphia, PA