Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

City · 130,138 residents · Ada County, Idaho

Meridian , Idaho

In Meridian, a typical home is worth $531,600 and typical rent is $1,805 a month. Compared with all of Ada County, typical rent is 14% higher and typical household income is 10% higher.

WhatsApp

  • Typical home value

    $531,600

    4% above the county

    27% above Idaho

    • Meridian
    • Ada
    • Idaho

  • Typical rent

    $1,805a month

    14% above the county

    46% above Idaho

    • Meridian
    • Ada
    • Idaho

  • Typical household income

    $100,795a year

    10% above the county

    30% above Idaho

    • Meridian
    • Ada
    • Idaho

  • Households that own their home

    75%

    4 points above the county

    2 points above Idaho

    • Meridian
    • Ada
    • Idaho

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$535,629
1.3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,056 a month
6.8% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Meridian is in Ada County. The FHA loan limit ($586,500 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Ada County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Meridian apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Meridian has the 2nd highest typical rent of the 36 cities in Idaho with more than 5,000 people ($1,805).

  2. Meridian has the 2nd highest typical household income of the 36 cities in Idaho with more than 5,000 people ($100,795).

  3. Nearby, in Nampa, the typical home value is $370,800: 30% less than in Meridian ($531,600).

  4. Nearby, in Garden City, the typical rent is $1,323: 27% less than in Meridian ($1,805).

  5. Meridian has the 4th highest typical home value of the 36 cities in Idaho with more than 5,000 people ($531,600).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Meridian

What homes there are in Meridian, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Meridian, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Ada County, 7.

Year built

Homes in Meridian are newer: the typical year built is 2007; in Ada County, 1997.

Homes in Meridian are bigger: 81% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Ada County, 73%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

About 58% of owner-occupied homes in Meridian are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Ada County ($586,500); the rest are worth more.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,993 a month

Ada County: $1,905 a month

Without a mortgage

$484 a month

Ada County: $546 a month

Owners with a mortgage

72%

Ada County: 67%

Owning costs about the same in Meridian as in Ada County: with a mortgage, $1,993 a month; without one, $484.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Meridian rose 93%; in Ada County, it rose 89%.

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Meridian rose 63%, more than in Ada County (59%).

Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 41%, while home values changed +93% and rent +63%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureMeridianAda CountyIdahoUnited States
Rental vacancy 4.1%4.1%3.9%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%0.7%0.9%
More than one person per room 1.7%2.0%3.1%3.4%
People per household 2.692.492.642.53
Drive alone 72%69%73%69%
Carpool 6%7%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate0%1%3%
Walk or bike 2%3%3%3%
Work from home 19%19%13%15%
Other means 1%1%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutesUnreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Open rentals in Meridian look like those in Ada County: the rental vacancy rate is 4.1%.

In Meridian, 1.7% of households live with more than one person per room, about the same as in Ada County.

Households in Meridian are bigger: 2.69 people on average; in Ada County, 2.49.

To get to work, 72% of workers in Meridian drive alone; in Ada County, 69%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Meridian?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Meridian, worth $531,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 50% of the typical household income in Meridian, which is $100,795 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $179,846 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Ada County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Meridian. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $18,606 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$4,196

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$521,971
Total interest
$750,994
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $8,977 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,352 a month

  • Tight

    $2,352 to $3,024 a month

  • Hard

    more than $3,024 a month

    Your payment · 50%

Compared with the typical household income in Meridian ($100,795 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$4,196
Principal & interest$3,536
Property tax$204
Home insurance$222
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$235

You need at least $18,606 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Meridian and Ada County

Meridian is in Ada County, Idaho. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Meridian's own numbers

Typical home value
$531,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,805
Typical yearly household income
$100,795
Households that own their home
75%
Effective property tax rate
0.46%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Ada County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$586,500
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,540
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+48%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.4%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Ada County.

Everything about Ada County

Buying

Buying a home in Meridian

A typical home in Meridian is worth $531,600: 4% above the county and 27% above Idaho. With the typical household income in Meridian ($100,795 a year), a typical home costs 5.3 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Meridian 5.3 years
  • Ada 5.6 years
  • Idaho 5.4 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Ada County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Ada County rose 152% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Ada County.

Period County Idaho U.S.
Last year (2025) +2.7% +2.3% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +48% +57% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +152% +149% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Meridian next to Ada County, Idaho and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Meridian $531,600
  • Ada $512,300
  • Idaho $418,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Meridian $1,805
  • Ada $1,577
  • Idaho $1,238
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Meridian $100,795
  • Ada $91,502
  • Idaho $77,800
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Meridian next to Ada County and Idaho
Measure Meridian Ada County Idaho U.S.
Typical home value $531,600 $512,300 $418,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,805 $1,577 $1,238 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $100,795 $91,502 $77,800 $80,734
Households that own their home 75% 71% 72% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,452 $2,655 $2,038 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.46% 0.52% 0.49% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 50% 49% 47% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Ada County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Meridian

For a typical $531,600 home in Meridian, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Meridian's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $4,196a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $18,606
    Cash to close
    $34,554
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $235

  • Conventional, 5% down $4,099a month

    Down payment
    $26,580
    Cash to close
    $42,528
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $253

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $3,306a month

    Down payment
    $106,320
    Cash to close
    $122,268
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $3,798a month

    Down payment
    $79,740
    Cash to close
    $95,688
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Meridian and for Ada County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Meridian

0.46%of the home’s value each year

$2,452 a year for the typical owner in Meridian.

  • Meridian 0.46%
  • Ada 0.52%
  • Idaho 0.49%

What Idaho publishes Homeowner’s exemption (Idaho State Tax Commission)

Exemptions and deadlines in Idaho

Flood risk in Ada County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Ada County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.4%
3,840
Of those, with NFIP insurance
25%
County Idaho U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.4% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 25% 19% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Meridian

Typical rent in Meridian is $1,805 a month: 14% above the county. In Meridian, 50% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Ada County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,540 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $29.62 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Ada County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,152 $22.15 $46,080
1 bedroom $1,295 $24.90 $51,800
2 bedrooms $1,540 $29.62 $61,600
3 bedrooms $2,132 $41.00 $85,280
4 bedrooms $2,574 $49.50 $102,960

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Meridian

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Meridian has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,660 in 83642 to $1,900 in 83646.

2 of the 2 are above the fair market rent for Ada County ($1,540).

  • 83642 $1,660$2,310
  • 83646 $1,900$2,640

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Meridian when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Meridian

HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Meridian. These are the largest.

  • Tramore Senior 1103 W Pine Ave, Meridian 83642 72 homes, 56 low-income · 1 bd: 49 · 2 bd: 23 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
  • Foothills (THE) 2308 E Franklin Rd, Meridian 83642 54 homes, 53 low-income · 2 bd: 16 · 3 bd: 30 · 4 bd: 8 · In service since 2004 · For families
  • James Court Apartments 2190 N Meridian Rd, Meridian 83646 50 low-income homes · For families (208) 888-3112
  • Washington Square 416 E Washington Ave, Meridian 83642 42 homes, 41 low-income · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 27 · 3 bd: 3 · In service since 2017 · For families

See all 58 buildings in Ada County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Meridian

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 5 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Ada County; 3 say they serve in Spanish.

A grandmother pushes her grandson on a playground swing.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Meridian

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Meridian or Ada County. The ones below are statewide in Idaho: they work in Meridian the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Idaho

Housing counselors near Meridian

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Meridian, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Debt Reduction Services, Inc. DBA Money Fit

    6213 N Cloverdale Rd, Boise · 5 miles away · Spanish

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 6 more
    (877) 688-3328

  • Neighborhood Housing Services Inc DBA Neighborworks Boise

    3380 W Americana Ter Ste 120, Boise · 9 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 3 more
    (208) 343-4065

  • Jesse Tree

    1121 W Miller St, Boise · 9 miles away

    • Budget and credit workshops
    • Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
    • and 3 more
    (209) 383-9486

Every agency in Ada County All counseling agencies in Idaho

Help in Spanish near Meridian

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Meridian

HUD’s record names them for Meridian or Ada County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Ada County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (208) 345-4907

2 other authorities have an office in Ada County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Ada County

These cities are also in Ada County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Ada County Housing in Idaho

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Meridian, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Ada County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Meridian.

All guides
A mother smiles as she carries her young daughter on her shoulders (black and white).

Questions

Housing questions about Meridian

Short answers with the numbers for Meridian and all of Ada County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Meridian?

The typical home value in Meridian is $531,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Ada County it is $512,300.

How much does it cost to rent in Meridian?

Typical rent in Meridian is $1,805 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Ada County is $1,540.

What is the FHA loan limit in Meridian?

Meridian uses the FHA limit for all of Ada County (2026): $586,500 for a one-unit home and $1,127,900 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Meridian?

The typical homeowner in Meridian pays $2,452 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.46% of the home’s value; in Ada County, the rate is 0.52%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Meridian?

There are 5 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Ada County. 3 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).