salaryMeridian is the 2nd-largest city in Idaho that we track, with 130,138 residents. Rent is higher than in 72% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.9 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $82,400 a year. That is $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Idaho cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Idaho. It is number 34 of 36 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Meridian?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Meridian
| Size | Meridian | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,580 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,723 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,735 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,140 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,619 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Meridian overall?
Everyday prices in Idaho overall are 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Meridian, so the Idaho figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Meridian
Life in Meridian
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Meridian?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,629 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $531,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $53,160 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Meridian, ID?
Renting in Meridian costs a median of about $2,060 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Idaho median is $1,565.
How much do I need to make to live in Meridian?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $82,400 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Meridian cheap or expensive?
Meridian is rated OK: rent takes 22.7% of the typical household income of $108,707. It ranks 34th cheapest of 36 Idaho cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Meridian?
The median homeowner in Meridian pays $2,452 a year in property taxes, about 0.46% of the median home value.
Is Meridian more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Idaho are 5% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Meridian?
The median home value in Meridian is $531,600, about 4.9 times the typical yearly household income.
130,138 people live in Meridian. Numbers are typical (middle) values.