Meridian vs Rochester: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Meridian, ID and Rochester, MN, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,872 | 120,848 |
| Median household income | $93,296 | $83,973 |
| Median home value | $425,800 | $268,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,548 | $1,218 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Meridian, ID and Rochester, MN comes down to what you value most. Rochester has the lower median home value, and Rochester has the lower median rent.
Meridian has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rochester?
- By median home value, Rochester is the cheaper of the two ($268,800 vs $425,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Meridian or Rochester?
- Median household income is $93,296 in Meridian versus $83,973 in Rochester, per the US Census Bureau.