Meridian ID vs Ontario CA — 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Ontario
138,723
Ontario +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Ontario
1.6%
Ontario +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 138,723 | Ontario + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 84.3% | 53.6% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.6% | Ontario + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Ontario
9.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.7% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 9.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 40.1% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Ontario
58.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $671,948 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 58.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 33.6% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.0% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.8% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.0% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.0% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Ontario
15.0 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.2 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. 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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