Meridian ID vs Torrance CA — 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 95,358 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 84.3% | 34.8% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $42,884 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 5.9% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 7.7% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 26.2% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $1,128,110 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 64.0% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.6% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 44.9 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. 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, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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