Meridian ID vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Santa Rosa +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 84.3% | 31.9% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 7.8% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $720,443 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 41.2% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, 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%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
11.3%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.7% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.4% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, 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 +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 25.2 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Santa Rosa. 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, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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