Can A Dental Hygienist Afford Rent in Meridian, ID?

Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.8% of gross income.

Meridian rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Idaho state estimate).

Meridian median rent
$2,065/mo
Dental Hygienist salary (Idaho)
$77,884/yr
Rent as % of income
31.8%
Gross monthly income works out to about $6,490, and the 30% rule supports up to $1,947/mo in rent. Meridian's median rent of $2,065 exceeds that threshold by $118/mo, putting a dental hygienist salary into the rent-burdened range here. A dental hygienist works roughly 55.1 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a dental hygienist salary

Dental hygienist pay covers comfortable rent in most US metros. At the national-average dental-hygienist salary, the 30% rule supports about $2,188 a month in rent, which is above the median in most cities.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Idaho cities have lower median rent than Meridian, which improves the affordability math on a dental hygienist salary:

Eagle, ID
$2,052/mo (31.6% of income)
Kimberly, ID
$2,050/mo (31.6% of income)
Eagle, ID
$2,045/mo (31.5% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Meridian

View full rent data for Meridian, ID

Frequently asked questions

Can a dental hygienist afford rent in Meridian, ID?

Median rent in Meridian is $2,065 a month. A typical dental hygienist in Idaho earns about $77,884 a year, which makes that rent 31.8% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a dental hygienist afford in Meridian?

Using the 30% rule, a dental hygienist salary in Idaho (~$77,884/yr) supports up to $1,947 a month in rent. Meridian's current median rent is $2,065/mo, which is $118/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a dental hygienist work to cover rent in Meridian?

At an hourly equivalent of about $37 an hour, a dental hygienist in Idaho works roughly 55.1 hours a month to cover Meridian's median rent of $2,065.

Where is rent cheaper than Meridian for a dental hygienist?

Nearby Idaho cities with lower median rent include Eagle ($2,052/mo), Kimberly ($2,050/mo), Eagle ($2,045/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a dental hygienist salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Idaho state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Meridian, ID. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.