Meridian, ID vs Idaho Falls, ID
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Idaho Falls, ID outspends Meridian, ID by a wide margin per resident — $14,232 versus $7,134, a 99% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Meridian, ID holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 54/100 (grade C) against 41/100 (grade D) for Idaho Falls, ID — a 13-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Meridian, ID carries the lighter load at $449 per resident versus $641 for Idaho Falls, ID. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Meridian, ID at $745 per resident and in Idaho Falls, ID at $2,249.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Meridian, ID at 41432% of total revenue, whereas Idaho Falls, ID relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
Idaho Falls spends 49.9% more per capita than Meridian ($7,098/person difference). Meridian, ID has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 54/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $77 |
| Sales Tax | $418 | $990 |
| Income Tax | $102 | $897 |
| Intergovernmental | $4 | $10,285 |
| Charges & Fees | $905 | $2,201 |
| Other | $1,770 | $3,106 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $115 | $281 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $226 |
| Education | $0 | $232 |
| Public Welfare | $0 | $1,182 |
| Health | $0 | $468 |
| Hospitals | $840 | $874 |
| Parks & Recreation | $745 | $2,249 |
| Housing | $2,058 | $2,890 |
| Sewerage | $551 | $0 |
| Utilities | $972 | $1,518 |
| Other | $1,852 | $4,312 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.