City Comparison

Meridian vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Meridian

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

37.9%

Springdale is 37.9% less expensive than Meridian overall. A household earning $75,000 in Meridian would need approximately $54,375 in Springdale to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
154
Meridian
86
Springdale
Groceries
104
Meridian
97
Springdale
Utilities
86
Meridian
93
Springdale
Transportation
113
Meridian
91
Springdale
Healthcare
103
Meridian
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Meridian has the same purchasing power as $54,375 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $103,448 in Meridian.

Living in Meridian vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Meridian's housing index of 154 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $509,000 vs $299,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Meridian compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Meridian and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Meridian vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 86 in Meridian and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Meridian vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Meridian and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,083 and $71,379 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 37.9% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 120.
A $75,000 salary in Meridian has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,375 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Meridian's housing index is 154 with median homes at $509,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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