Meridian ID vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 84.3% | 40.7% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $66,772 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $36,694 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 7.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 20.1% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 34.7% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 41.2% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Providence
1303
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1303 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 34.4% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.5% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 19.6% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.6% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.1% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.4 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Providence 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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