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Retirement community in Meridian, Idaho

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Meridian, Idaho Retirement Guide

established retirement community
35

Retirement Score

Meridian, Idaho at a Glance

Median Home Price
$571,100
State Income Tax
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; partial pension deduction.
Avg January Low
23.4°F
Cost of Living Index
91.8 (US avg = 100)
Best For
established retirement community
RetireCityIQ Score
35 / 100

Overview

Explore the key retirement factors for Meridian, Idaho, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.

Cost of Living

Affordability Metrics

Cost of Living Index
91.8 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Household Income
$93,296High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Meridian's cost of living is 8.200000000000003% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.

Housing

Real Estate & Housing

Median Home Price
$571,100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,789High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated September 2026
Owner-Occupied Housing
76.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)

Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Meridian using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.

Estimated monthly carrying cost

$1,237

Stress-case monthly carrying cost

$1,390

Median home price used: $571,100

Median rent reference: $1,789 / month

Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.

Budget validation

Calculate if your savings last in this city

Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Meridian, Idaho after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.

Open the RetireFree Calculator →

Healthcare

Access & Quality

Healthcare Access Score
9.8 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated September 2026
Care Access (Proxy)
9.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score
43.8 / 100Estimated
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026

Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Meridian scores 9.8 out of 100 for healthcare access.

Care planning link

Find local assisted living in Meridian

If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.

Assisted living in Meridian

Taxes

State Tax Climate

Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; partial pension deduction.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated September 2026

Idaho has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.

Climate

Weather & Environment

Avg July High
97.5°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Avg January Low
23.4°FHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Annual Precipitation
14.4"High confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026
Sunny Days / Year
309 daysHigh confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated September 2026

With 309 sunny days a year and an average January low of 23.4°F, Meridian offers a traditional winter climate.

Safety & Walkability

Community Safety

Safety Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026

Walkability

Walk Score (proxy)
8.2 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
0.6 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026

Demographics

Population Profile

Population
119,872High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Median Age
37.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Age 65+
13.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Veterans
8.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
43.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Diversity Breakdown

White
85.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Black
1.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Hispanic/Latino
9.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026
Asian
2.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated September 2026

Frequently asked questions about retiring in Meridian

Is Meridian, Idaho a good place to retire?

Meridian, Idaho is one of the US retirement-friendly cities tracked by RetireCityIQ. Notable retirement-relevant traits include established retirement community. See the at-a-glance card on this page for the cost of living, state tax treatment, climate, and healthcare access metrics.

What is the cost of living in Meridian, Idaho for retirees?

The cost-of-living index is 92, roughly 8% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $571,100.

Does Idaho tax Social Security or retirement income?

For Idaho residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; partial pension deduction.

What is the climate like in Meridian, Idaho?

Meridian, Idaho has January average low around 23°F, July average high around 98°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.

What is healthcare access like in Meridian, Idaho?

Meridian scores 10/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).

Local Professionals

Financial Advisors

INSPIRE ADVISORS, LLC

Financial Advisor

DOCEO WEALTH, LLC

Financial Advisor

DESERT ROSE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

Financial Advisor

+74 more financial advisors available

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