Moving from Meridian, ID to Dallas, TX
A 1601 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Dallas is 27h 59m 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.
1601 mi · 27h 59m by car · TX → OK → CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mckinney, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Dallas | 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 |
Meridian and Dallas sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $526,994 in Meridian to $309,421 in Dallas, a 4.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 14.8°F moving to Dallas per NOAA normals.
Expect 1.7 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.46 |
Dallas households earn about 4.8% less than Meridian at the median — $98,686 → $67,760 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas 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 — 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — 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 Dallas average 97°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 (14.8°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 does the job market in Dallas compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas 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 much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 41.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Dallas more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas 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 household income compare in Meridian vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 31.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1601 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 53.2°F in Meridian (14.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 in vs 11.5 in.
How far is Dallas, TX from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1601 mi and the route typically takes 27h 59m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 6 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 · Dallas, TX.