Meridian, ID Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Meridian, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Meridian →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Meridian, Idaho is home to roughly 119,872 residents. The typical household here earns $93,296 a year — above the median we track across cities (+29%).
Anyone weighing a move to Meridian should know the median home value is $425,800, above the multi-city median (+30%), and median rent runs $1,548 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
The home-value-to-income ratio in Meridian — around 4.6× — falls into a middle tier, neither notably affordable nor notably stretched. Home prices near Meridian have risen a steady 2.71% over the past year — measured growth, not a spike. FEMA rates Meridian's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate — comparatively low, which tends to keep home insurance costs in check.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,548/mo in Meridian would take 19.9% of your income.
$784/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($425,800) would take 29.2% of your income toward principal & interest.
$96/mo over the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Meridian
Median home value is $425,800 and median gross rent is $1,548/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Ada rose 2.71% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,655/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Meridian's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Meridian reported a violent crime rate of 137.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Meridian
Planning a move to Meridian? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Meridian, ID?
- Cost of living in Meridian centers on housing: median home value runs $425,800, median rent runs $1,548/month, and the typical household earns $93,296 a year. Data via the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Meridian?
- At Meridian's median rent of $1,548/month, the 30%-of-income guideline suggests an annual income around $61,920 to stay comfortably housed. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Meridian.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Meridian?
- Buying at Meridian's median home value of $425,800 takes about $97,421 a year in principal-and-interest income (20% down, 30-year fixed, current mortgage rates), compared with roughly $61,920 a year to comfortably rent at the median $1,548/month. Down payment and expected length of stay usually settle the question.
- Is Meridian safe?
- Meridian reported a violent crime rate of 137.6 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Meridian →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Meridian's.