Meridian ID vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 84.3% | 50.7% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 8.6% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $55,931 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $35,704 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 6.5% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 23.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 39.5% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 324 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1453 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 34.1% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 9.6% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 20.3% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.2% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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