Is Meridian or Sandpoint Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Meridian is safer than Sandpoint (Safety Score 85/100 vs 71/100), with a total crime rate of 718 per 100,000 versus 1,086 for Sandpoint — 34% lower. Meridian has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Sandpoint has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Meridian is 13.4x 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
Sandpoint — 1-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Meridian, ID
Sandpoint, ID
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Meridian | Sandpoint | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 718.2 | 1,085.9 | -367.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 146.8 | 85.7 | +61.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.7 | 0.0 | +0.7 |
| Rape Rate | 29.9 | 9.5 | +20.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 10.7 | 0.0 | +10.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 105.5 | 76.2 | +29.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 571.4 | 1,000.2 | -428.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 52.0 | 161.9 | -109.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 482.4 | 762.1 | -279.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 37.1 | 76.2 | -39.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian or Sandpoint safer?
Meridian is safer with a total crime rate of 718 per 100K vs 1,086 for Sandpoint — a 34% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Meridian has a violent crime rate of 146.8 per 100K while Sandpoint has 85.7. Sandpoint 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 Sandpoint, ID
Sandpoint, Idaho, is a resort town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, home to the historic Panida Theater. Its population of around 9,000 residents swells with tourism, particularly during winter ski season at Schweitzer Mountain. With a safety score of 71/100 and a population coverage of 10,498, Sandpoint has a total crime rate of 1,085.9 per 100,000 residents.