Meridian ID vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Renton
2.2%
Renton +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 75,721 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 84.3% | 48.7% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.2% | Renton + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 6.8% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.1% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $765,686 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 45.2% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 383 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3409 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Renton
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Renton
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.5% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.1% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.4 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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