Moving from Meridian, ID to Arlington, TX
Cross-country relocations like Meridian, ID β Arlington, TX cover 1586 mi and about 27h 48m of driving through 6 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.
1586 mi Β· 27h 48m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Arlington | 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 |
Arlington and Meridian are close on the overall BEA RPP (98.391 vs 103.09); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Arlington typical home at $310,971 is 4.8% under Meridian at $526,994 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Arlington -3.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 36.2" |
Climate warms by 13.6Β°F on the annual average β 53.2Β°F β 66.8Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 394,769 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $73,519 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 21.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.81 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.8% between Meridian and Arlington (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arlington 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
- 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.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Arlington average 96Β°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 (13.6Β°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
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Arlington?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1586 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Arlington more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arlington is 4.8% higher than Meridian (103.09 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Arlington compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Arlington 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.
How far is Arlington, TX from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1586 mi and the route typically takes 27h 48m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Arlington compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $310,971 in Arlington vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 41.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Arlington?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,519 in Arlington vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 25.5% 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· Arlington, TX.