Is Boise or Meridian Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Boise (Safety Score 85/100 vs 60/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 1,404 for Boise — 49% lower. Boise has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Meridian has a 50% lower rate.
Boise — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boise, ID
Meridian, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boise | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,403.8 | 718.2 | +685.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 293.8 | 146.8 | +147.0 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 0.7 | +0.6 |
| Rape Rate | 71.0 | 29.9 | +41.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.7 | 10.7 | +5.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 205.8 | 105.5 | +100.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,110.0 | 571.4 | +538.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 107.1 | 52.0 | +55.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 872.8 | 482.4 | +390.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 130.1 | 37.1 | +93.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boise or Meridian safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 1,404 for Boise — a 49% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boise has a violent crime rate of 293.8 per 100K while Meridian has 146.8. Meridian has lower violent crime.
About Boise, ID
Boise, Idaho, known for the "Treefort Music Fest," sits along the Boise River at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. As the state capital, it's the largest city in Idaho, with a population exceeding 230,000. With a safety score of 60/100 and a population coverage of 235,223, Boise has a total crime rate of 1,403.8 per 100,000 residents.
About Meridian, ID
Meridian, Idaho, once known as "Hunter," is a rapidly growing city in Ada County, part of the Boise metropolitan area. Its population has surged, and it hosts the annual Meridian Dairy Days, a nod to its agricultural past. With a safety score of 85/100 and a population coverage of 140,353, Meridian has a total crime rate of 718.2 per 100,000 residents.