Is Meridian expensive to live in?

Meridian is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,540 per month ranks #18 of 158 and is 48% higher than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Meridian?

Average rent in Meridian, ID runs a studio around $1,523, a one-bedroom around $1,540, a two-bedroom around $1,489, a three-bedroom around $1,893 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Meridian?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,540 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year. The median household income here is $98,686.

How much does it cost to live in Meridian per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Meridian is about $1,690 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Meridian, ID

Population 124,865 · Idaho

~$1,690/mo est.1BR $1,540Home $485,000

Compare with:

The cost of living in Meridian, ID is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,540 a month — 48% higher than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,523 and two-bedrooms $1,489.

Median household income here is $98,686, 46% higher than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,690 before food and transport. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,540

Studio

$1,523

1 Bedroom

$1,540

2 Bedroom

$1,489

3 Bedroom

$1,893

Buying a Home$485,000

Median Home Value

$485,000

Income$98,686

Median Household Income

$98,686

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesWest

Milk (gal)

$4.82

Bread (lb)

$2.04

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

Average prices, West (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities14.4¢/kWh

Electricity

14.4¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$11.33/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.27/gal

Regular Gasoline (Rocky Mountain (PADD 4))

$4.27/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (ID)6% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.30%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime150.3 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

150.3

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

583.5

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Meridian Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 37.4 yrs

Median Age

37.4 yrs

Homeownership

76.1%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Climate52.5°F

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

Meridian cost of living — FAQ

Is Meridian expensive to live in?: Meridian is among the most expensive of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,540 per month ranks #18 of 158 and is 48% higher than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Meridian?: Average rent in Meridian, ID runs a studio around $1,523, a one-bedroom around $1,540, a two-bedroom around $1,489, a three-bedroom around $1,893 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Meridian?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,540 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year. The median household income here is $98,686.
How much does it cost to live in Meridian per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Meridian is about $1,690 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Meridian with nearby cities

Meridian vs Boise Meridian vs Idaho Falls Meridian vs Missoula Meridian vs Spokane Meridian vs Bozeman Meridian vs West Valley City

Nearby cities

Boise, ID 9 mi Idaho Falls, ID 218 mi Missoula, MT 254 mi Spokane, WA 284 mi Bozeman, MT 299 mi West Valley City, UT 302 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.