Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Meridian, ID
VS
Pembroke Pines, FL
🏆 Meridian leads 14 of 20 categories
Meridian
Idaho
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,296 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39
Population
119,872
Pembroke Pines
Florida
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$77,657
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
170,472 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Meridian, ID
Pros
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Pembroke Pines
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.8 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (2.7%)
Households earn $15,639 more per year on average
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Rent averages $239/mo less ($1,548 vs $1,787)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $425,800
Pembroke Pines, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 77°F vs 39°F
Homes cost $46k less ($379,900 vs $425,800)
Cons
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Meridian
Median income trails Meridian by $15,639/yr
Higher rents — median is $1,787/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Key Differences at a Glance
Meridian
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 93.4 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Meridian
Median Income
$15,639
$93,296 vs $77,657/yr
Meridian
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
2.7% vs 4.7% unemployment
Pembroke Pines
Median Home Value
$46k less
$379,900 vs $425,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Pembroke Pines, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $425,800⚠ High | $379,900⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,548⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,787⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $93,296 ✓ Higher | $77,657 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% ✓ Lower | 4.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min ✓ Shorter | 30.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.8% ✓ Higher | 10.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 27 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 43.5% ✓ Higher | 36.1% |
| High School or Higher | 96.1% ✓ Higher | 93.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2 | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.8°F | 76.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 91.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.4" ✓ Drier | 67.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 18.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 119,872 | 170,472 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.3% ✓ Higher | 71.0% |
| Under 18 | 27.1% ✓ More | 20.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 18.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Meridian's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Pembroke Pines's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Meridian is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Meridian leads 14 of 20 categories. Meridian wins 14 and Pembroke Pines wins 6. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Meridian to Pembroke Pines or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($425,800 vs $379,900 median home), income ($93,296 vs $77,657), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Meridian, ID and Pembroke Pines, FL are about 2,353 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.