Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Rochester?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/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 $1,290 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 11% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$1,080

+29% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$1,106

+28% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,243

+17% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,646

+13% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$287,500

+41% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$87,767

+11% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$60,620

+23% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

36.4 yr

+1.0 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

65.4%

+10.7 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

50.1%

+5.7 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

22.3 min

17.2 min

+5.1 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

158.9

+6% in Rochester, MN

Property Crime

583.5

1,379

+136% in Rochester, MN

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

45.4°F

+7.1°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

33.0 in

+21.3 in in Rochester, MN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.96/gal

+7% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Minnesota.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

17.5

+22% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$14.79

+31% in Rochester, MN

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

$1.66

+19% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Rochester, MN

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Rochester, MN

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / MN)

6.875%

+0.9 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

9.85%

+4.5 pp in MN

Meridian vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,290 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Rochester?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).