Moving from Naperville, IL to Meridian, ID
It is 1676 mi and 28h 31m from Naperville to Meridian 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.
1676 mi Β· 28h 31m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Meridian | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 98.391 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 70.695 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.179 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 105.58 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.0% cheaper overall in Meridian than Naperville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.0% under Naperville β $610,454 β $526,994 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Meridian 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Meridian |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 17.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 11.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 17.6 in of snowfall annually at Meridian.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Meridian |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 124,865 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $98,686 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 37.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 29.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.0% β $150,937 β $98,686 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Meridian MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 49,860 | $40,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 32,370 | $39,170 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,530 | $29,290 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,420 | $37,030 |
| Management Occupations | 29,410 | $89,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Idaho
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Idaho'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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Meridian averages 17.6 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Meridian average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Meridian sees only 11.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Idaho after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Meridian compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,320 in the Meridian MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 372,470 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Meridian, ID from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 1676 mi and the route typically takes 28h 31m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Meridian?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,686 in Meridian vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 34.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Meridian more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Meridian is 5.0% lower than Naperville (98.391 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Meridian compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $526,994 in Meridian vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 13.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Meridian?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1676 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Meridian, ID.