Is Meridian, Idaho a good place to live?
As the second most populated city in Idaho and just a short drive to Boise, Meridian has much to offer entrepreneurs, families, and the outdoorsy-types. As with most anywhere in the state, Meridian is one of the safest cities in America. With its proximity to Boise, Meridian benefits from the established healthcare, community, and educational infrastructure, as well as easy-access to the many different parks, trails, and BLM Land. Meridian also holds the title as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, which unfortunately effects the housing affordability and cost of living. That said, many others are finding the value in Meridian and deciding to call it home!
| Criterion | Score (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 3 |
| Housing Affordability & Availability | 2 |
| Job Market & Remote-Work Friendliness | 4 |
| Schools & Education Quality | 4 |
| Healthcare Access | 4 |
| Safety & Crime Rates | 4 |
| Outdoor & Cultural Amenities | 4 |
| Commute, Transit & Walkability | 3 |
| Internet & Digital Infrastructure | 4 |
| Climate & Air Quality | 4 |
| Community Vibe & Inclusivity | 4 |
| Future Growth & Property Value Outlook | 4 |
(Scores reflect 2025 data and local benchmarks.)
Cost of Living
The good: Groceries, utilities, and healthcare hover near national norms, so weekly budgets rarely generate sticker shock.
The bad: The overall index lands at 119.6, about 19 % above the U.S. average, with housing and childcare doing most of the damage. (bestplaces.net)
Local stats: Family-of-four basics (excluding rent) run roughly $3,900/month; state fuel taxes remain low compared to neighboring Oregon.
Score: 3/5
Housing Affordability & Availability
The good: New subdivisions in South Meridian and Star still list well-kept three-bedrooms under $480k, and builders keep sprinkling pocket parks into every cul-de-sac.
The bad: The typical home value sits at $537,503—up 0.8 % year-over-year—and closes in just 11 days. Inventory under two months keeps bidding wars alive in prized school zones. (zillow.com)
Score: 2/5
Job Market & Remote-Work Friendliness
The good: Boise-Nampa metro unemployment fell to 3.2 % in April 2025, nearly a point below the national rate. (bls.gov) Micron, Clearwater Analytics, and St. Luke’s back-office tech teams anchor local payrolls. Remote pros plug into Kiln’s podcast studios or Regus hot desks for under $25/day. (kiln.com, regus.com)
The bad: Mountain Time means 6 a.m. Slack pings if your boss sits in Manhattan, and median tech salaries lag Seattle by a third.
Score: 4/5
Schools & Education Quality
The good: West Ada School District graduates 87.5 % of seniors and maintains a 19:1 student–teacher ratio. (edtrendsreport.idahoednews.org, westada.org) Magnet options like Renaissance High’s IB program and Meridian Technical charter keep college-bound teens busy with robotics builds.
The bad: Rapid enrollment balloons portable classrooms, and boundary redraws feel as common as snow days.
Score: 4/5
Healthcare Access
The good: St. Luke’s Meridian is a Magnet-designated hospital with level III trauma backup 15 minutes away at the Boise campus. (stlukesonline.org) Pediatric subspecialists, same-day imaging, and one of Idaho’s largest cardiac-rehab centers keep wait times sane outside flu season.
The bad: Expect a three-week lead for dermatology unless you hop on I-84 to Nampa.
Score: 4/5
Safety & Crime Rates
The good: Meridian posts just 2 violent incidents per 1,000 residents and 7 total crimes per 1,000—safer than 55 % of U.S. cities its size. (neighborhoodscout.com)
The bad: Car break-ins around Village at Meridian’s holiday shopping rush still call for the “nothing-in-view” rule.
Score: 4/5
Outdoor & Cultural Amenities
The good: You get 211 sunny days a year for free. (bestplaces.net) Roaring Springs Water Park, Julius M. Kleiner Park’s summer concert series, and the annual Dairy Days parade keep weekends busy. Foodies rave about Basque-inspired Epi’s and hop-heads claim Sockeye Brewing’s Dagger Falls IPA pairs with any patio sunset.
The bad: No major-league sports, and concert tours stop in Boise first—15 minutes, but still.
Score: 4/5
Commute, Transit & Walkability
The good: The average commute clocks 22.3 minutes, and I-84’s new third lane shaved another two off the morning shuffle. (census.gov) ValleyRide’s Route 40 bus offers free Wi-Fi straight to Boise State on class days.
The bad: Service is hourly after 6 p.m., and sidewalks disappear once you cross Eagle Road into acreage country.
Score: 3/5
Internet & Digital Infrastructure
The good: Sparklight’s 6 Gbps fiber backbone recorded 253 Mbps average real-world speeds in 2025 tests; Quantum Fiber just lit 8 Gbps service in north-Meridian. (broadbandnow.com) T-Mobile 5G Home blankets 100 % of addresses for $50/month.
The bad: Legacy DSL pockets linger near Ten Mile Creek, so map your street before you sign.
Score: 4/5
Climate & Air Quality
The good: Summer highs sit in the low 90s, winters hover in the upper 20s, and the comfort index hits 8.5/10. (bestplaces.net) A 40 AQI “Good” reading is typical most mornings thanks to high-desert breezes. (iqair.com)
The bad: Late-August wildfire smoke can nudge AQI into the 120s for a few days; portable HEPA filters earn their keep.
Score: 4/5
Community Vibe & Inclusivity – Is Meridian, Idaho a good place to live?
The good: Block parties sprout like dandelions, and city rec leagues fill before the signup portal fully loads. The Village’s outdoor ice rink doubles as a teen hangout, while the Saturday farmers market stocks gluten-free everything next to Basque chorizo.
The bad: Cultural diversity trails larger metros; but there are some authentic restaurants in the area.
Score: 4/5
Future Growth & Property Value Outlook
The good: Zillow projects a 1–2 % rise over the next year—steady, not bubble territory—while Meridian’s Comprehensive Plan sets aside 1,300 acres for new parks and mixed-use nodes, buffering resale value. (zillow.com)
The bad: If mortgage rates dip below 5 %, expect another buyer stampede and potential appraisal gaps.
Score: 4/5
Pros & Cons Recap
Pros
- Kid-centric parks, water-park summers, and low violent-crime rates
- Gig-level internet plus thriving coworking scene
- High graduation rates and nationally ranked hospitals
- Short commutes and 211 days of sunshine
Cons
- Housing costs outrun some remote-work salaries
- Limited late-night transit and culinary variety
- Wildfire smoke weeks and fast-filling classrooms
FAQ
Q1. How reliable is Meridian’s internet for full-time remote work?
Gigabit cable covers 95 % of addresses, and 5 G home plans backstop outages; fiber reaches most new subdivisions. (broadbandnow.com)
Q2. Do I need a car?
Yes for Costco runs and ski trips; a bike plus ValleyRide works inside the core.
Q3. How cold are winters?
Average January lows hover around 24 °F with about ten inches of snow—sledding, not blizzards. (bestplaces.net)
Q4. Are property taxes high?
Ada County’s effective rate stays below 0.7 %, but rising home values may offset the percentage break.
Verdict & Who Will Love Living Here
Remote-working parents who want a suburban launchpad with fiber broadband, skate-parks, and no-drama crime stats will find Meridian checks the boxes. If your budget stretches toward a $540k starter home and you can tolerate occasional smoke advisories, living in Meridian means trading mega-city frenzy for a playground-to-Zoom-room lifestyle that simply works. Think tech analysts, freelance creatives, and healthcare telecommuters who crave sunshine and a kid-friendly street scene.
What do you think—did I miss your favorite park or burrito spot? Drop a comment below and help future neighbors find their footing in the Treasure Valley!