Is Meridian or Pocatello Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Pocatello (Safety Score 85/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 1,928 for Pocatello — 63% lower. Meridian has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Pocatello has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 2.4x 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
Pocatello — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
Pocatello, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | Pocatello | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 1,927.7 | -1,209.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 341.2 | -194.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 39.2 | -9.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 15.4 | -4.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 286.6 | -181.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 1,586.5 | -1,015.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 254.2 | -202.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 1,189.1 | -706.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 143.3 | -106.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Pocatello safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 1,928 for Pocatello — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while Pocatello has 341.2. 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 Pocatello, ID
Pocatello, once known as "Gate City" due to its railroad history, is nestled in southeastern Idaho. This city of roughly 56,000 residents lies along the Portneuf River. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 58,618, Pocatello has a total crime rate of 1,927.7 per 100,000 residents.