Meridian ID vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 111,514 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 38.1 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 4.0% | Meridian + |
| White | 84.3% | 70.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.7% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 0.8% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $55,305 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $30,949 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 5.9% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 19.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 22.8% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Pueblo
60.8%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 60.8% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 512 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3234 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 33.5% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.5% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.0% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 18.9% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 15.1% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Pueblo
53.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Pueblo
13.0 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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