How much does it cost to rent in Meridian, ID?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Meridian, ID is $2,065. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Meridian cheaper than other Idaho cities?

Meridian is one of the pricier cities in Idaho, ranking #6 out of 24 cities tracked at $2,065/mo.

When was Meridian rent data last updated?

Meridian rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · ID

Meridian

Name: Average Rent Prices in Meridian, ID
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 130,138·6th most expensive in Idaho·Meridian rents are up 8.2% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$2,065/mo

Year-over-Year

+8.2%

Month-over-Month

+3.5%

vs US Median

+$100

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Meridian · $2,065

More expensive than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

67/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Meridian's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,065/mo

Expected by trend

$2,263/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Meridian's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,525

1 BR

$1,800

2 BR

$2,155

3 BR

$3,020

4 BR+

$3,615

Research median

$2,155/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$24,780/yr

At $2,065/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 8.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+8.2% YoY, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Meridian, ID is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 44.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

130,138

Median income

$100,795

Median age

37.5

Renters

25.4%

Age distribution

25%

21.3%

28.3%

14.8%

Under 1825%

18–3421.3%

35–5428.3%

55–6410.5%

65+14.8%

Gender

49.7%

50.3%

Male49.7%

Female50.3%

Race & ethnicity

83%

White83%

Black1.3%

Hispanic10.5%

Asian2.4%

Other2.9%

Education (25+)

19.7%

31.9%

44.2%

No HS diploma4.3%

HS diploma19.7%

Some college31.9%

Bachelor's+44.2%

Housing tenure

74.6%

25.4%

Owner74.6%

Renter25.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Meridian, ID has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,660 → $2,065

up 24.4%

Income

$85,201 → $100,795

up 18.3%

Population

115,227 → 130,138

up 12.9%

Renter share

22.5% → 25.4%

+2.9 pts

Bachelor's+

40.9% → 44.2%

+3.3 pts

Median age

36.6 → 37.5

+0.9 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Meridian, ID has increased by $405 per month, settling near $2,065 after starting the period at $1,660. Median household income grew from $85,201 to $100,795 between 2021 and 2024, a 18.3% shift. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 6.1 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 115,227 to 130,138 between 2021 and 2024, a 12.9% change. About 25.4% of households rent today, against 22.5% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 40.9% to 44.2%. Taken together, the five-year picture in Meridian, ID reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Meridian

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View Meridian rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Meridian on your salary?

At $2,065/mo, how Meridian rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $84,087/yr · Rent = 29.5% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $59,701/yr · Rent = 41.5% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $68,770/yr · Rent = 36% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $122,918/yr · Rent = 20.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $157,058/yr · Rent = 15.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $55,901/yr · Rent = 44.3% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $50,472/yr · Rent = 49.1% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $62,211/yr · Rent = 39.8% income

stretched

By apartment size

Meridian rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Meridian. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Meridian

About renting in Meridian, ID

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Meridian is $2,065/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,525/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,155/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,800/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,020/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($100,795/yr), Meridian ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Meridian an affordable city for renters?

Meridian is considered affordable for renters. At $2,065/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($100,795/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Meridian falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Meridian?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $83,000/year (~$40/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,065/mo in Meridian. The local median household income is $100,795/yr, meaning the typical Meridian household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Meridian?

Rent in Meridian has increased 8.2% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Meridian neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Meridian are 83642 ($1,885/mo), and 83646 ($2,338/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Meridian is $2,065/mo.

How does Meridian rent compare to other cities in Idaho?

Meridian is one of the pricier cities in Idaho for rent, ranking #6 out of 24 tracked cities at $2,065/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Meridian?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Meridian ($2,065/mo): Nampa ($1,626/mo), Garden City ($1,855/mo).

What percentage of Meridian residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 25.4% of Meridian households are renters, while 74.6% are owner-occupied. Meridian leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.