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City Report · ID

Meridian

Pop. 130,138·5th most expensive in Idaho·Meridian rents are up 8.4% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,078/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.6%
vs US Median
+$116
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Meridian · $2,078
More expensive than 63% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
67/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Meridian's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,078/mo
Expected by trend
$2,268/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,155/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,078 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$24,936/yr
At $2,078/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.4% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.
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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 → $2,078
up 25.2%
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 $418 per month, settling near $2,078 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 6.9 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

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View Meridian rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Meridian on your salary?

At $2,078/mo, how Meridian rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Meridian is $2,078/mo as of August 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 8.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Meridian an affordable city for renters?

Meridian is considered affordable for renters. At $2,078/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 $2,078/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 8.4% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Meridian neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Meridian are 83642 ($1,897/mo), and 83646 ($2,391/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Meridian is $2,078/mo.

How does Meridian rent compare to other cities in Idaho?

Meridian is one of the pricier cities in Idaho for rent, ranking #5 out of 24 tracked cities at $2,078/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Meridian?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Meridian ($2,078/mo): Nampa ($1,626/mo), Garden City ($1,886/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.

How does Meridian rent compare to the national average?

Meridian's median rent of $2,078/mo is $116 (6%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Idaho, it ranks #5 out of 24 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,078/mo, rent takes ~25% of Meridian's median household income ($100,795/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Meridian 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax5.8%
Run the Meridian affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Meridian
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Meridian, ID

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