Moving from Meridian, ID to Cedar Rapids, IA
It is 1485 mi between Meridian and Cedar Rapids β roughly 25h 10m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1485 mi Β· 25h 10m by car Β· IA β NE β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | IA β NE β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Salt Lake City, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Cedar Rapids | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 88.963 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 83.981 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 71.447 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.6% cheaper overall in Cedar Rapids than Meridian on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Cedar Rapids +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 48Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 11Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 35.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Cedar Rapids |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 136,859 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $67,859 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.32 |
Cedar Rapids households earn about 9.6% less than Meridian at the median β $98,686 β $67,859 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Cedar Rapids MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,490 | $43,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,280 | $46,000 |
| Production Occupations | 13,570 | $46,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,520 | $34,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,280 | $29,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β 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
- Tornado season runs April through June β identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Cedar Rapids compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $204,112 in Cedar Rapids vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 61.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Cedar Rapids compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 140,020 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Cedar Rapids?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,859 in Cedar Rapids vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 31.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Cedar Rapids?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1485 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Cedar Rapids, IA from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1485 mi and the route typically takes 25h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Cedar Rapids more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cedar Rapids is 9.6% lower than Meridian (88.963 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID Β· Cedar Rapids, IA.