Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rutland?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Rutland.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Rutland?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Rutland Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Rutland, VT. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $55,000 in Rutland, VT — about 44% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Rutland, VT

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$893

+41% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$856

+44% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,097

+26% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,207

+36% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$176,400

+64% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$55,000

+44% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

48.5 yr

+11.1 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

76.1%

52.7%

+23.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

32.2%

+12.2 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

22.3 min

14.7 min

+7.6 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

487.8

+225% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

583.5

3,973.3

+581% in Rutland, VT

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

44.6°F

+7.9°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

40.5 in

+28.7 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

24.4

+70% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$26.07

+130% in Rutland, VT

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 Rutland, VT

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 / VT)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

8.75%

+3.5 pp in VT

Meridian vs Rutland — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Rutland?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Rutland?: 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 Rutland.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Rutland?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Rutland under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% 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).