Meridian ID vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 84.3% | 61.8% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.2% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 9.9% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $871,599 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 44.3% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 383 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3409 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 19.0% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 28.8 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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