Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Meridian?

Meridian, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,690 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Meridian?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Meridian?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,830/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Meridian, ID is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 5% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,523

+23% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,540

+4% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,489

+20% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,893

+15% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$485,000

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$98,686

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,100

+17% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

37.4 yr

+3.5 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

76.1%

+16.3 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

44.4%

+9.3 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

22.3 min

+6.4 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

150.3

+81% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

583.5

+72% in Annapolis, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

52.5°F

+4.6°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

11.7 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

14.4

+34% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.57

$11.33

+50% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / ID)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

5.30%

+1.2 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Meridian?: Meridian, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,690 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Annapolis, MD's $1,830, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Meridian?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).