Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Meridian, ID

    Is Meridian a good place to live?

    Watch Meridian

    Meridian ranks #2 of 14 Idaho cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (75/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 4.2% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $485,000
    +13.9% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,714
    per month
    Household income
    $98,686
    median
    Unemployment
    2.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Meridian

    The median home value in Meridian is $485,000 and median rent is $1,714 a month, against a median household income of $98,686. Homes cost about 4.9× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Meridian crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Idaho the 2025 rate was 221 violent and 624 property crimes per 100,000 people — #50 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Meridian, ID

    Meridian has about 124,865 residents, 2.4% unemployment and 29% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Meridian with

    Meridian vs Boise CityMeridian vs NampaMeridian vs Idaho FallsMeridian vs CaldwellMeridian vs PocatelloMeridian vs Coeur d'AleneMeridian vs Twin FallsMeridian vs Post Falls

    More: Where to move in Idaho · Best counties in Idaho

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report