Best Neighborhoods for Young Professionals in Meridian, ID
13 neighborhoods ranked by walkability, transit access, bikeability, job market, and affordable rent — the metrics that matter most to young professionals starting their careers.
Young Professional Neighborhoods in Meridian — Key Takeaways
The best neighborhood for young professionals in Meridian is Riverside CDP with a YP Score of 100/100. The most affordable rent is in Fort Hall CDP at $503/month.
The unemployment rate in Meridian is 2.7%, 27% below the national average of 3.7%. The citywide median rent is $771/month (national average: $1,163). Median household income is $93,296.
Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Walk Score, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and BLS. Last updated: March 2026.
Top 3 Neighborhoods for Young Professionals
| # | Neighborhood | YP Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside CDP | 100 | ||
| Robie Creek CDP | 100 | ||
| Moreland CDP | 100 | ||
4 | Letha CDP | 100 | |
5 | Groveland CDP | 67 | |
6 | Silverton CDP | 65 | |
7 | Hidden Springs CDP | 63 | |
8 | Lincoln CDP | 62 | |
9 | Tyhee CDP | 51 | |
10 | Fort Hall CDP | 51 | |
11 | Mountain Home AFB CDP | 43 | |
12 | Avimor CDP | 31 | |
13 | Arbon Valley CDP | 17 |
Rankings by Category
Top 5 neighborhoods in Meridian for each young professional metric.
Lowest unemployment rate
- 1.6%
- 4.0%
- 5.3%
- 5.7%
- 9.5%
Lowest median rent
- $503
- $1,007
- $1,118
- $1,170
- $1,546
Lowest violent crime rate
- 2.1 per 1K
- 2.1 per 1K
- 2.1 per 1K
- 2.1 per 1K
- 2.1 per 1K
Highest median household income
- $152,328
- $117,422
- $106,447
- $94,583
- $93,576
Lowest median home value
- $140,900
- $160,600
- $200,900
- $223,400
- $240,400
Neighborhoods are ranked using the Young Professional (YP) Score, a composite index that prioritizes the metrics most important to early-career professionals choosing where to live:
- Walkability (Walk Score)
- 25% weight
- Transit Access (Transit Score)
- 20% weight
- Job Market (Unemployment Rate)
- 20% weight
- Affordable Rent (Median Rent)
- 20% weight
- Bikeability (Bike Score)
- 15% weight
Walkability is weighted highest because young professionals tend to prefer neighborhoods where daily errands, dining, and entertainment are accessible on foot. Transit and bikeability scores reflect commute flexibility without car ownership. The job market factor rewards low unemployment, while affordable rent ensures neighborhoods are financially accessible to early-career earners.
Data Sources: Walk Score (walkability, transit, and bike scores), US Census Bureau American Community Survey (median rent, unemployment rate), FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (crime rates), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). All data is updated on a rolling basis as new releases become available.