Irving vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Meridian
The Verdict
Irving is 16.7% less expensive than Meridian overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $90,000 in Meridian to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $90,000 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $62,500 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $509,000. The $191,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $344 in Meridian. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 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 $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $2,326/month in Meridian. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. 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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases