Moving from Meridian, ID to Joliet, IL
Cross-country relocations like Meridian, ID → Joliet, IL cover 1674 mi and about 28h 25m 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.
1674 mi · 28h 25m by car · IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Joliet | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Joliet is 5.3% higher than Meridian, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 5.3% below Meridian — $526,994 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Meridian (53.2°F) and Joliet (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 5.3%: $98,686 in Meridian vs $88,026 in Joliet.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet 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
- 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
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 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 far is Joliet, IL from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1674 mi and the route typically takes 28h 25m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 50.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Joliet more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet 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 does household income compare in Meridian vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 53.2°F in Meridian (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 11.5 in.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet 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 Joliet?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID · Joliet, IL.