Is Idaho Falls or Meridian Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Idaho Falls (Safety Score 85/100 vs 54/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 1,566 for Idaho Falls — 54% lower. Idaho Falls has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Meridian has a 84% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 2.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Idaho Falls — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Idaho Falls, ID
Meridian, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Idaho Falls | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,565.9 | 718.2 | +847.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 356.5 | 146.8 | +209.8 |
| Murder Rate | 4.4 | 0.7 | +3.7 |
| Rape Rate | 71.3 | 29.9 | +41.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.2 | 10.7 | -0.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 270.7 | 105.5 | +165.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,209.3 | 571.4 | +637.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 308.5 | 52.0 | +256.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 774.2 | 482.4 | +291.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 126.6 | 37.1 | +89.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idaho Falls or Meridian safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 1,566 for Idaho Falls — a 54% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Idaho Falls has a violent crime rate of 356.5 per 100K while Meridian has 146.8. Meridian has lower violent crime.
About Idaho Falls, ID
Idaho Falls, a city vital to the Manhattan Project, sits along the Snake River in eastern Idaho. It serves as a regional hub, home to the Idaho National Laboratory and a growing population. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 68,716, Idaho Falls has a total crime rate of 1,565.9 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.