Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Tampa?

Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Tampa?

Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Meridian vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Tampa, FL is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,686 in Meridian, ID and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 28% higher in Meridian, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Meridian, ID

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,523

$1,242

+18% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,540

$1,324

+14% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,489

$1,673

+12% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,893

$1,729

+9% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$485,000

$375,300

+23% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$98,686

$71,302

+28% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$48,940

+0% in Meridian, ID

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.4 yr

35.6 yr

+1.8 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

76.1%

50.2%

+25.9 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.4%

44.6%

+0.2 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

22.3 min

24.7 min

+2.4 min in Tampa, FL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

150.3

443.2

+195% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

583.5

1,473.2

+152% in Tampa, FL

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

73.4°F

+20.9°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

46.3 in

+34.6 in in Tampa, FL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.83/gal

+10% in Meridian, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

15.1

+5% in Tampa, FL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.33

$23.62

+108% in Tampa, FL

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 Tampa, FL

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 / FL)

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

None

+5.3 pp in ID

Meridian vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Meridian or Tampa?: Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Meridian than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $62,000 a year in Meridian versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Meridian or Tampa?: Meridian is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax 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).