Moving from Meridian, ID to Centennial, CO
It is 838 mi between Meridian and Centennial β roughly 14h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
838 mi Β· 14h 4m by car Β· ID β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | ID β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 84, I 80, US 189 |
| 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 | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.5% above Meridian β 98.391 β 105.782 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 15.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.59 |
Centennial households earn about 7.5% more than Meridian at the median β $98,686 β $128,167 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 29.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 838 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Centennial more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 7.5% higher than Meridian (105.782 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 23.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Centennial, CO from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 838 mi and the route typically takes 14h 4m via I 84 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID Β· Centennial, CO.