Meridian

Meridian, Idaho Overview

Meridian ranks #1 of 20 cities in Idaho, earning a A+ grade with a composite score of 65.4/100. The city stands out in Safety (92/100) and Growth (77/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in Meridian

Meridian’s median household income of $100,307 is 46% above the Idaho median of $68,930, and its 3.1% unemployment rate undercuts the state’s 3.2%. That economic strength is drawing residents — the population grew 3.3% recently.

Safety in Meridian

At 169.3 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Meridian sits meaningfully below the Idaho average of 214 — a 26% lower gap. The property crime rate is 505 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Meridian

The median home value is $485,000. Median monthly rent is $1,714. Renters spend 20.5% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Meridian

The adult obesity rate in Meridian is 28.8% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.4%. Residents report an average of 15.5 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Idaho ranks #23 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Meridian

Meridian has a high school graduation rate of 87.3%. The student-teacher ratio is 20.3:1. Per-pupil spending of $9,328 falls below the national median. The city has 40 public schools serving 28,588 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Meridian

The annual average temperature in Meridian is 53.7°F. Summers average 76.3°F. Winters average 33.5°F. Annual precipitation is 15.5 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions