Meridian ID vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Rochester
82.9%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 26,509 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 38.7 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 84.3% | 82.9% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 3.6% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 3.9% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Rochester
3.2%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 3.2% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 284 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1992 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 36.4% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.2% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.3 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. 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, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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