Meridian ID vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Meridian
84.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 84.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1426 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 37.5% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 16.1% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.6% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 28.6% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.4% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. 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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