Moving from Meridian, ID to Chicago, IL
It is 1701 mi and 29h 3m from Meridian to Chicago β a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1701 mi Β· 29h 3m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Chicago | 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 |
Chicago runs about 5.3% more expensive overall than Meridian β RPP 98.391 β 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $526,994 in Meridian to $317,283 in Chicago, a 5.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.2Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.3% β $98,686 β $75,134 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Chicago, IL from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1701 mi and the route typically takes 29h 3m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1701 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chicago more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chicago is 5.3% higher than Meridian (103.595 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago 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.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 39.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID Β· Chicago, IL.