Meridian ID vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
San Antonio
7.0%
San Antonio +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 84.3% | 48.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 7.0% | San Antonio + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $62,917 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $32,983 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 5.8% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 17.1% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 28.7% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 52.4% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 442 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2339 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 34.9% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.2% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.2% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 24.5% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.0% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 26.5 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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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