Is Hailey or Meridian Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hailey is safer than Meridian (Safety Score 87/100 vs 85/100), with a total crime rate of 657 per 100,000 versus 718 for Meridian — 8% lower. Hailey has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hailey has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 14.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Hailey — 0-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Hailey, ID
Meridian, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Hailey | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 657.4 | 718.2 | -60.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 179.3 | 146.8 | +32.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 29.9 | 0.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 10.7 | -10.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 149.4 | 105.5 | +44.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 478.1 | 571.4 | -93.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 149.4 | 52.0 | +97.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 308.8 | 482.4 | -173.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 19.9 | 37.1 | -17.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hailey or Meridian safer?
Hailey is safer with a total crime rate of 657 per 100K vs 718 for Meridian — a 8% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Hailey has a violent crime rate of 179.3 per 100K while Meridian has 146.8. Meridian has lower violent crime.
About Hailey, ID
Hailey, Idaho, nestled in the Wood River Valley, is a small city known for its historic downtown and as the birthplace of Ezra Pound. Its population of around 9,000 residents experiences distinct seasons at an elevation of over 5,300 feet. With a safety score of 87/100 and a population coverage of 10,039, Hailey has a total crime rate of 657.4 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.