Meridian ID vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Portland
80.1%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 68,505 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.5 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 84.3% | 80.1% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 3.1% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $76,174 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 11.3% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $561,069 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 46.7% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Portland
1234
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1234 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Portland
11.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.8% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.3% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.1% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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