City Comparison

Meridian vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Meridian

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

55.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 55.8%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Meridian has equivalent purchasing power to $48,125 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
154
Meridian
55
Toledo
Groceries
104
Meridian
98
Toledo
Utilities
86
Meridian
92
Toledo
Transportation
113
Meridian
101
Toledo
Healthcare
103
Meridian
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Meridian has the same purchasing power as $48,125 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $116,883 in Meridian.

Living in Meridian vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Meridian's housing index of 154 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $509,000 vs $128,000. The $381,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Meridian compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Meridian and 98 in Toledo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Meridian vs $466/month in Toledo. Toledo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 86 in Meridian and 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Meridian vs $368 in Toledo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Meridian and 84 in Toledo. 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 $99,700 in Meridian and $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,083 and $54,805 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo fits within this budget. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 55.8% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 120.
A $75,000 salary in Meridian has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $48,125 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Meridian's housing index is 154 with median homes at $509,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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