Is Lewiston or Meridian Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Lewiston (Safety Score 85/100 vs 56/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 1,504 for Lewiston — 52% lower. Lewiston has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lewiston has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 4.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ID
Meridian, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Meridian | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,504.2 | 718.2 | +786.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 191.2 | 146.8 | +44.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 0.7 | -0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 65.7 | 29.9 | +35.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 11.4 | 10.7 | +0.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 114.2 | 105.5 | +8.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,312.9 | 571.4 | +741.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 291.1 | 52.0 | +239.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 887.7 | 482.4 | +405.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 134.2 | 37.1 | +97.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Meridian safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 1,504 for Lewiston — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 191.2 per 100K while Meridian has 146.8. Meridian has lower violent crime.
About Lewiston, ID
Lewiston, the "Gate City" at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, is the lowest elevation city in Idaho. It's home to Lewis-Clark State College, with a population around 35,000. With a safety score of 56/100 and a population coverage of 35,036, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,504.2 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.