Meridian ID vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 84.3% | 21.8% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 1.4% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Salinas
$89,150
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Salinas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $89,150 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $28,813 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.7% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 14.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $751,711 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 47.0% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Salinas
32.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Salinas
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Salinas
16.8%
Salinas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 32.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.2% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 22.4% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.8% | Salinas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.8 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 503 in Salinas. 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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