City vs city
Garden City vs Meridian, Idaho
Meridian has about 10.8 times as many people as Garden City. They are about 6 miles apart in a straight line. Meridian reported fewer violent crimes per person than Garden City in 2024.
The basics
Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (Vintage 2024) · July 1, 2024 estimate
12,936
139,740
County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
Ada County
Ada County
Elevation
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System · Checked Oct 3, 2026
2,600 ft
2,600 ft
Distance to Boise (straight line)
Source: Straight line between the two town centers (USGS and Census coordinates) · Checked Oct 3, 2026
4 mi
9 mi
Violent crime per 100,000 people
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 data
656
147
Price level (U.S. average = 100)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities, all items, for the metro area (via FRED) · 2024 data, released Feb 19, 2026
98.4
98.4
Public schools
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, operating public schools · 2024-25 school year
2
49
New homes
New home communities listed
Source: New home communities listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Sep 30, 2026
3
61
Builders with communities in town
Source: Builders named on the new home communities listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Sep 30, 2026
3
22
Work and getting around town
Open jobs listed
Source: Open jobs listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Nov 3, 2026
11
267
Local businesses listed
Source: Local businesses listed on Treasure Idaho · Updated Oct 1, 2026
22
33
Outdoors
Named parks in town
Source: Named parks on OpenStreetMap · Checked Oct 2, 2026
38
44
Trails within 15 miles
Source: Trails listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and public land agencies) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
248
194
Things to do within 15 miles
Source: Things to do listed on Treasure Idaho (OpenStreetMap and USGS) · Checked Oct 2, 2026
37
41
Allergies, in a typical year
Spring tree pollen
Source: National Allergy Bureau daily pollen counts, CDC release 2003 to 2024 (Boise, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene stations) · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page
Moderate
Moderate
Early-summer grass pollen
Source: The Allergy Group (Boise) grass counts; NAB station reports for North Idaho · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page
High
High
Fall weed and sagebrush pollen
Source: National Allergy Bureau daily pollen counts, CDC release 2003 to 2024 (Boise, Twin Falls, Coeur d'Alene stations) · Typical year; how it is rated is on each city page
High
High
Wildfire smoke (days a year over AQI 100)
Source: EPA AirData: annual AQI by county · 2021 to 2025 average
High, 12.6
High, 12.6
Only figures both towns have are shown. Counts of communities, builders, jobs, businesses and stays are what Treasure Idaho lists today, not every one in town. Allergy ratings are typical, general guidance, not medical advice; each city page shows how its ratings were worked out.