City Comparison · 2026
Meridian vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Meridian = $220k in Los Angeles
Metric
Meridian
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓0.80
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$850/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,070/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
ID
CA
$100k Take-Home
$72,936
✓$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
27.06%
✓26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$62,736
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Meridian ID | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,768 $3,897/mo · 22.05% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,936 $6,078/mo · 27.06% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,578 $8,715/mo · 30.28% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Meridian has a cost-of-living index of 0.80 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Meridian is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Meridian is $850/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs Meridian?
$100k in Meridian = $220k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 120%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Meridian or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,936 in ID (Meridian) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $62,736 in Meridian vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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