Meridian ID vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 41.6 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 84.3% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $93,371 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $39,604 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.2% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 7.8% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 31.0% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 450 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2150 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 29.4% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 11.2% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.4% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 32.8 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
Compare More Cities
Meridian, ID vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Meridian, IDChicago, IL vs Meridian, IDHouston, TX vs Meridian, IDMeridian, ID vs Phoenix, AZMeridian, ID vs Philadelphia, PA