Meridian ID vs St. George 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Meridian
84.3%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Meridian +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 99,184 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 37.9 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 84.3% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 1.6% | 0.6% | Meridian + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.2% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
St. George
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
St. George
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $72,870 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $36,254 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 3.5% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 11.3% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 34.1% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
St. George
$456,900
St. George +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
St. George
68.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $456,900 | St. George + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 68.2% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
St. George
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 32.9% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.6% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.9% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
St. George
8.8 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while st. George offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $456,900. On public safety, St. George 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 St. George 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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