Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rochester?

Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% 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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Rochester, NY is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 53% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$750

+51% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$857

+44% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,114

+25% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,240

+34% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$120,600

+75% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$46,628

+53% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$51,210

+4% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

33.5 yr

+3.9 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

37.2%

+38.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

29.9%

+14.5 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

22.3 min

18.9 min

+3.4 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

690

+359% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

583.5

3,533.4

+506% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+4.3°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

34.3 in

+22.5 in in Rochester, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$4.13/gal

+3% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

29.5

+105% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$27.01

+138% in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY

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 / NY)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

10.90%

+5.6 pp in NY

Meridian vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rochester?: Rochester, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% 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 $34,000 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 New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% 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).