City Comparison

Meridian vs North Las Vegas

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Meridian

Idaho
120
Above Average
$509,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$99,700
Median Income

North Las Vegas

Nevada
111
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$78,500
Median Income

The Verdict

8.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.1%, with North Las Vegas being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Meridian has equivalent purchasing power to $69,375 in North Las Vegas.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
154
Meridian
120
North Las Vegas
Groceries
104
Meridian
104
North Las Vegas
Utilities
86
Meridian
109
North Las Vegas
Transportation
113
Meridian
116
North Las Vegas
Healthcare
103
Meridian
85
North Las Vegas

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Meridian has the same purchasing power as $69,375 in North Las Vegas.

Conversely, $75,000 in North Las Vegas equals $81,081 in Meridian.

Living in Meridian vs North Las Vegas

Housing Costs

Meridian's housing index of 154 is higher North Las Vegas's 120, translating to median home prices of $509,000 vs $405,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Meridian compared to $1,600/mo in North Las Vegas, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Meridian and 104 in North Las Vegas. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Meridian vs $494/month in North Las Vegas. 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 86 in Meridian and 109 in North Las Vegas. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Meridian vs $436 in North Las Vegas. 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 Meridian and 85 in North Las Vegas. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $99,700 in Meridian and $78,500 in North Las Vegas. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,083 and $70,721 respectively. Meridian residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,326/month to housing in Meridian vs $1,832/month in North Las Vegas. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In North Las Vegas, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

North Las Vegas is 8.1% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 120.
A $75,000 salary in Meridian has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,375 in North Las Vegas, based on the cost of living difference.
Meridian's housing index is 154 with median homes at $509,000, while North Las Vegas's is 120 with median homes at $405,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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