Moving from Meridian, ID to Laredo, TX
A 1716 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Laredo is 32h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 5 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.
1716 mi · 32h 24m by car · TX → NM → CO → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → CO → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 285, I 84, US 191 |
| Major cities en route | Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Provo, West Jordan, West Valley City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.6% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Meridian at 98.391.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $526,994 to $220,331 moving to Laredo.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 19.7" |
Expect 21.8°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.36 |
Laredo households earn about 11.6% less than Meridian at the median — $98,686 → $63,264 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 — 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts 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 Laredo average 100°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 (21.8°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
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Laredo, TX from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1716 mi and the route typically takes 32h 24m via US 285 and I 84. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Laredo more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 11.6% lower than Meridian (86.956 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 58.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1716 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 53.2°F in Meridian (21.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 11.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID · Laredo, TX.