Meridian, ID

Meridian ID scores 92/100 on safety (well above average). Crime is about 65% below the national average. Most neighborhoods are fine for evening walks; still check the block you actually rent.

Detail: overall crime index 35 (100 = avg); violent crime index 42; property crime index 28. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Meridian. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Meridian is about $1,805/month (on the high side). At $1,805/month for a typical unit, you need about $64,980+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $531,600.

Median household income is $100,795, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($100,795) clears the $64,980 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 68°F (highs near 81°F, lows near 54°F).

You can be outside most of the year without extreme gear. Heating and cooling costs are usually moderate compared with hotter or colder metros. If you visit, go in winter or midsummer (not only in spring) to see the extremes.

Who tends to thrive in Meridian: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 92/100) (2) Dual-income households (at $1,805/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (3) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $100,795 helps carry housing costs) (4) People relocating for a job who can pick a safer ZIP (citywide safety is 92/100)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $1,805/month) (2) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $1,805/month (3) Households expecting top marks on rent and safety at once (Meridian does not clear every bar)

Income sniff test: clear about $64,980 household income for $1,805/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Meridian holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 92/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $1,805/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.