Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Philadelphia?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Philadelphia Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Philadelphia, PA. Overall, Philadelphia, PA is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA — about 38% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Philadelphia, PA

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$1,126

+26% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$1,189

+23% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,394

+6% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,406

+26% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$232,400

+52% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$60,698

+38% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$54,310

+11% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

35.1 yr

+2.3 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

52.3%

+23.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

34.6%

+9.8 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

22.3 min

32.0 min

+9.7 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

917.1

+510% in Philadelphia, PA

Property Crime

583.5

4,615.3

+691% in Philadelphia, PA

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

57.1°F

+4.6°F in Philadelphia, PA

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

48.5 in

+36.8 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

21.7

+51% in Philadelphia, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$26.08

+130% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / PA)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

3.07%

+2.2 pp in ID

Meridian vs Philadelphia — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Philadelphia?: Philadelphia, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Philadelphia?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $48,000 in Philadelphia.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Philadelphia?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Philadelphia under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).