Meridian ID vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Orem
77.1%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Orem
1.9%
Orem +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 86,973 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 84.3% | 77.1% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.9% | Orem + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $70,053 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $33,579 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.0% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 12.7% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 25.6% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 60.9% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 30.3% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.1% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.5% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.5 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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