Meridian ID vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 84.3% | 53.7% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $77,041 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $40,309 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 5.1% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 14.3% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 32.3% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 57.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 450 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2150 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 32.3% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.8% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.2% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 17.3% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.2% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.7 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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