Moving from Meridian, ID to Fort Worth, TX
Moving from Meridian, ID to Fort Worth, TX is a 1572 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 28m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1572 mi Β· 27h 28m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Meridian (98.391) and Fort Worth (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Fort Worth: 4.8% below Meridian on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | β |
Fort Worth runs 14.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.2Β°F vs 67.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.82 |
Median household income in Fort Worth is 4.8% below Meridian ($98,686 vs $76,602, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Worth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Worth average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Fort Worth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1572 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 43.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1572 mi and the route typically takes 27h 28m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 4.8% higher than Meridian (103.09 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 22.4% 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· Fort Worth, TX.