What are the schools like in Meridian, ID?

Meridian is served primarily by JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2. The district operates 35 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 15 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.4:1.

What is the median household income in Meridian?

The median household income in Meridian, ID is $93,296 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.

What is the weather like in Meridian, ID?

Meridian has an average high temperature of 38.8°F in January and 92.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 12.4 inches and annual snowfall averages 18.3 inches.

Meridian, ID Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Meridian, ID affordable or expensive?

Meridian's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means Meridian is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $425,800 and the median rent is $1,548 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Meridian, ID?

Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 571.4 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Meridian, ID a Good Place to Live?

Meridian is a mid-sized city of 119,872 in Idaho, with a median household income of $93,296 and a 2.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: Meridian stands out for an affordable cost of living, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include high home prices. Whether Meridian is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Meridian city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 93.4

Meridian's overall cost of living index is 93.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Meridian costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	Meridian, ID	National Avg
Median Home Value	$425,800	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,548	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	76.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$93,296	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Meridian's violent crime rate is 146.8 per 100,000 residents — 61% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

146.8 /100k

Property Crime

571.4 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Meridian is served primarily by JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.4:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Meridian, ID	National Avg
School District	JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2	—
Elementary Schools	35	—
Middle Schools	11	—
High Schools	15	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	18.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	43.5%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Meridian sees average highs of 38.8°F in January and 92.7°F in July, with 12.4 inches of annual precipitation and 18.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Meridian, ID
Average High — January	38.8°F
Average High — July	92.7°F
Annual Precipitation	12.4"
Annual Snowfall	18.3"

Demographics

Metric	Meridian, ID	National Avg
Population	119,872	—
Median Age	37.1	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	22.1 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	85.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	6.2%	18.9%
Asian	2.3%	6.3%
Under 18	27.1%	22.2%
65 and over	13.4%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Kuna, ID 6 mi Eagle, ID 6 mi Garden City, ID 6 mi Star, ID 8 mi Boise City, ID 8 mi

ZIP Codes in Meridian

Meridian, ID is covered by 2 ZIP codes:

83642 83646

Meridian vs Other Cities

Meridian, ID vs Kuna, ID Meridian, ID vs Eagle, ID Meridian, ID vs Garden City, ID Meridian, ID vs Star, ID Meridian, ID vs Boise City, ID

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Meridian, ID affordable or expensive?

Meridian's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes Meridian roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $425,800 and median rent is $1,548/month.

What is the crime rate in Meridian, ID?

Meridian's violent crime rate is 146.8 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 571.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Meridian?

Public schools in Meridian are operated by JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2. The district has 35 elementary, 11 middle, and 15 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.4:1. 43.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Meridian, ID a good place to live?

Meridian, ID has a population of 119,872, a median household income of $93,296, and an unemployment rate of 2.7%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Meridian?

Meridian averages 38.8°F in January and 92.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 12.4 inches with about 18.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Meridian?

Meridian, ID is covered by 2 ZIP codes: 83642, 83646.

What is the population of Meridian?

The population of Meridian, Idaho is 119,872 with a median age of 37.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Meridian?

Key numbers for living in Meridian: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $425,800, median household income $93,296, crime index 34 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Meridian side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.