Living Cost Compare
Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

vs
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 32% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID
Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio
$1,523
$795
+48% in Meridian, ID
1 Bedroom
$1,540
$882
+43% in Meridian, ID
2 Bedroom
$1,489
$1,085
+27% in Meridian, ID
3 Bedroom
$1,893
$1,356
+28% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$485,000
$215,100
+56% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income
$98,686
$66,702
+32% in Meridian, ID
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,100
$47,230
+4% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
37.4 yr
35.0 yr
+2.4 yr in Meridian, ID
Homeownership
76.1%
59.1%
+17.0 pp in Meridian, ID
Bachelor's+ (25+)
44.4%
34.0%
+10.4 pp in Meridian, ID
Avg Commute
22.3 min
22.2 min
+0.1 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
150.3
685.9
+356% in Oklahoma City, OK
Property Crime
583.5
2,929.1
+402% in Oklahoma City, OK

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
61.5°F
+9.0°F in Oklahoma City, OK
Annual Precipitation
11.7 in
36.5 in
+24.8 in in Oklahoma City, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.27/gal
$3.85/gal
+10% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs EMBARK (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.4
14.3
+0% in Meridian, ID
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$11.33
$31.25
+176% in Oklahoma City, OK

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 Oklahoma City, OK
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 / OK)
6%
4.5%
+1.5 pp in ID
Income Tax (top rate)
5.30%
4.50%
+0.8 pp in ID

Meridian vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Oklahoma City?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Oklahoma City?
Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).