Moving from Meridian, ID to Newark, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Meridian, ID → Newark, NJ cover 2467 mi and about 43h 10m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2467 mi · 43h 10m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Newark | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.391 in Meridian to 112.563 in Newark, a 14.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Newark ZHVI at $478,455 is 14.4% below Meridian at $526,994.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 28.2 in of snowfall annually at Newark.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.7 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.4% between Meridian and Newark (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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: Newark averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Newark, NJ from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 2467 mi and the route typically takes 43h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Newark more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 14.4% higher than Meridian (112.563 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Newark compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2467 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 50.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark vs 53.2°F in Meridian (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 11.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 9.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID · Newark, NJ.