Is Meridian or Mountain Home Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Mountain Home (Safety Score 85/100 vs 84/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 727 for Mountain Home — 1% lower. Meridian has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Meridian has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 8.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Meridian — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Mountain Home — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
Mountain Home, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | Mountain Home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 726.7 | -8.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 200.9 | -54.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 5.9 | -5.2 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 47.3 | -17.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 11.8 | -1.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 135.9 | -30.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 525.8 | +45.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 70.9 | -18.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 437.2 | +45.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 17.7 | +19.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Mountain Home safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 727 for Mountain Home — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while Mountain Home has 200.9. Meridian has lower violent crime.
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.
About Mountain Home, ID
Mountain Home, Idaho, sits on the edge of the high desert, a town significantly shaped by the presence of Mountain Home Air Force Base. This Elmore County community experiences dry summers and cold winters, with a population of around 16,000. With a safety score of 84/100 and a population coverage of 16,927, Mountain Home has a total crime rate of 726.7 per 100,000 residents.