City Comparison

Meridian vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Meridian

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

23.7%

Living in Stockholm costs 23.7% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Meridian, you would need $60,625 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
154
Meridian
118
Stockholm
Groceries
104
Meridian
92
Stockholm
Utilities
86
Meridian
88
Stockholm
Transportation
113
Meridian
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
103
Meridian
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Meridian has the same purchasing power as $60,625 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $92,784 in Meridian.

Living in Meridian vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Meridian's housing index of 154 is higher Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $509,000 vs $445,000. The $64,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,164 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Meridian compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Meridian and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Meridian vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 86 in Meridian and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Meridian vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Meridian and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,083 and $51,546 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 $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stockholm is 23.7% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 120.
A $75,000 salary in Meridian has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,625 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Meridian's housing index is 154 with median homes at $509,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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