Moving from Meridian, ID to Aurora, IL
A 1667 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Aurora is 28h 21m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1667 mi · 28h 21m by car · IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Naperville, Elgin, Rockford, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.3% above Meridian — 98.391 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 39.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.98 |
Households in Aurora earn about 5.3% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1667 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Aurora, IL from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1667 mi and the route typically takes 28h 21m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Aurora more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 5.3% higher than Meridian (103.595 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 53.2°F in Meridian (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 11.5 in.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 8.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 39.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID · Aurora, IL.