Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Meridian?

Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Dover or Meridian?

Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Dover vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Dover

Delaware

$1,270/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 $1,270 in Dover, DE versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Dover, DE is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $58,336 in Dover, DE and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 41% higher in Meridian, ID. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Dover, DE

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,523

+53% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,047

$1,540

+47% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,185

$1,489

+26% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,634

$1,893

+16% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$248,500

$485,000

+95% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$58,336

$98,686

+69% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,690

$49,100

+5% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

37.4 yr

+2.3 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

47.0%

76.1%

+29.1 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

27.1%

44.4%

+17.3 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

24.0 min

22.3 min

+1.7 min in Dover, DE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,025.3

150.3

+85% in Dover, DE

Property Crime

6,159.1

583.5

+91% in Dover, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.9°F

52.5°F

+4.4°F in Dover, DE

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

11.7 in

+34.3 in in Dover, DE

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)

19.3

14.4

+26% in Dover, DE

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.73

$11.33

+62% in Dover, DE

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 Dover, DE

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 (DE / ID)

None

+6.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

6.60%

5.30%

+1.3 pp in DE

Dover vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Dover or Meridian?: Dover, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,270 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Dover than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Dover versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Dover or Meridian?: Dover is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).