Meridian ID vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 84.3% | 36.1% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $60,698 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $37,669 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 22.0% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 34.6% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 52.3% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Philadelphia
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Philadelphia
1613
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 319 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1613 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 34.5 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Philadelphia. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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