Meridian ID vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Salt Lake City +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 84.3% | 70.5% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.7% | Salt Lake City + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $74,925 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 3.8% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 13.4% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $580,126 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 46.8% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 29.5% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.2% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.3% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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