Meridian ID vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 84.3% | 51.9% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $45,845 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $27,570 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 7.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 29.6% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 30.5% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 41.3% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Syracuse
1736
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 434 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1736 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 41.5% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 12.7% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.8% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.1% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. 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%.
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