Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Montgomery?

Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $33,000 in Montgomery.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Montgomery?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Montgomery Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,690 in Meridian, ID versus $1,020 in Montgomery, AL. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 40% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $55,687 in Montgomery, AL — about 44% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Montgomery, AL

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$864

+43% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$831

+46% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$982

+34% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,172

+38% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$148,500

+69% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$55,687

+44% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$44,950

+8% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

36.2 yr

+1.2 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

54.3%

+21.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

33.5%

+10.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

22.3 min

20.5 min

+1.8 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

605.5

+303% in Montgomery, AL

Property Crime

583.5

2,258.3

+287% in Montgomery, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

65.1°F

+12.6°F in Montgomery, AL

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

53.1 in

+41.3 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.62/gal

+15% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

16.4

+14% in Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$24.06

+112% in Montgomery, AL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Montgomery, AL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Meridian, ID

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / AL)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

5.00%

+0.3 pp in ID

Meridian vs Montgomery — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Montgomery?: Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Montgomery?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $33,000 in Montgomery.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Montgomery?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Montgomery under Alabama's (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).