Moving from Meridian, ID to Richardson, TX
It is 1598 mi and 27h 58m from Meridian to Richardson 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.
1598 mi Β· 27h 58m by car Β· ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | ID β UT β WY β CO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Fort Collins, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Richardson | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.8% under Meridian β $526,994 β $440,400 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Richardson -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 41.9" |
Expect 12.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 118,269 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $96,257 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 33.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.6 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richardson 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
- 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 β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Richardson average 94Β°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 (12.6Β°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 much do homes cost in Richardson compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $440,400 in Richardson vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 16.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Richardson, TX from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1598 mi and the route typically takes 27h 58m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Richardson compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
Is Richardson more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richardson is 4.8% higher than Meridian (103.09 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Richardson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1598 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Richardson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,257 in Richardson vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 2.5% 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· Richardson, TX.