Everett vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Everett
Meridian
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.3%, with Meridian being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Everett has equivalent purchasing power to $66,176 in Meridian.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Everett has the same purchasing power as $66,176 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $85,000 in Everett.
Living in Everett vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Everett's housing index of 192 is higher Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $575,000 vs $509,000. The $66,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Everett compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Everett and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Everett vs $494/month in Meridian. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Everett and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Everett vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Everett and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $75,400 in Everett and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,441 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,759/month to housing in Everett vs $2,326/month in Meridian. In Everett, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases