Meridian ID vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 38.6 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 84.3% | 70.1% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $88,792 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 5.5% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 12.8% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $538,687 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 52.8% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 355 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3001 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Portland
8.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.9% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.3% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.7% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.7% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 26.5 min | Meridian + |
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, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Portland. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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