Meridian ID vs St. Louis MO — 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 84.3% | 45.7% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 5.1% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $55,279 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $38,947 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 5.1% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 19.8% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 40.2% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 45.4% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 501 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2418 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 36.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 13.2% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 18.8% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.4% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.9% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.8% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | 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
Meridian +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 24.0 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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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