Meridian ID vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Sandy
81.8%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 94,723 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 84.3% | 81.8% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 0.8% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Sandy
2.5%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 2.5% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Sandy
75.9%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $672,082 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 75.9% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Sandy
8.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Sandy
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Sandy 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 Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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