Moving from Meridian, ID to Elgin, IL
Moving from Meridian, ID to Elgin, IL is a 1674 mi cross-country relocation — about 28h 35m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1674 mi · 28h 35m by car · ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Nampa, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 98.391 in Meridian to 103.595 in Elgin, a 5.3% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elgin: 5.3% below Meridian on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 39.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.94 |
Median household income in Elgin is 5.3% below Meridian ($98,686 → $88,316, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- 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 — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 10.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 53.2°F in Meridian (4.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 11.5 in.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1674 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 37.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elgin more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 5.3% higher than Meridian (103.595 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elgin, IL from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1674 mi and the route typically takes 28h 35m via I 80 and US 189. 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 · Elgin, IL.