Meridian, ID vs Salinas, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Meridian
69.5
#1197 nationally
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Meridian leads in crime level (4.0 vs 14.4). Salinas leads in walk score (55 vs 26). Meridian leads in cost of living index (119 vs 149).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1197) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 134,801 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $539,117 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $93,296 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 22.1 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 4.0 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.3 | D+29.9 |
D+
69.5 Score
Meridian, ID
Mid-size Idaho city with community character
Median Home
$539,117
Population
134,801
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
26
West
View Meridian, ID →
D
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →