Meridian, ID vs Pocatello, ID

The cost of living difference between Meridian, ID and Pocatello, ID is dramatic. Pocatello is 62.3% cheaper than Meridian, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Meridian has a cost index of 125 while Pocatello sits at 77, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Meridian is $1,714/month compared to $861/month in Pocatello — a 99% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Pocatello is more affordable at $240,600 median vs $485,000.

Median household income in Meridian is $98,686 compared to $57,931 in Pocatello (+70.4%). While Meridian is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Meridian spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.8% in Pocatello.