Cost of Living: Santa Clara, CA vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Santa Clara is 134% more expensive than Meridian.

$2,985/mo ↑ 74%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↓ 43%
$173,670/yr ↑ 76%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↓ 43%
$1,527,900 ↑ 215%
Home Value
$485,000 ↓ 68%
$3,051/mo ↑ 90%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 47%
129,239
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
5.8%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,271/month cheaper in Meridian, saving renters about $15,252/year.

Median household income is $74,984/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Idaho has a lower income tax rate, making Meridian slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Meridian — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Meridian is cheaper to live in with an index of 131 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Meridian?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $1,271/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Meridian?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $74,984/year higher in Santa Clara.
How do taxes compare between California and Idaho?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Santa Clara or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Santa Clara details → View Meridian details →

More Comparisons

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