Moving from Meridian, ID to Peoria, IL
A 1632 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Peoria is 27h 38m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1632 mi · 27h 38m by car · ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.3% moving from Meridian to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $526,994 in Meridian to $128,838 in Peoria, a 7.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.2°F vs 52.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 7.3% less than Meridian at the median — $98,686 → $58,716 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
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 — 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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 165,240 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 Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 40.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 53.2°F in Meridian (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 11.5 in.
How far is Peoria, IL from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1632 mi and the route typically takes 27h 38m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1632 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 75.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 7.3% lower than Meridian (91.231 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 · Peoria, IL.