Moving from Meridian, ID to Memphis, TN
It is 1914 mi and 32h 15m from Meridian to Memphis — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1914 mi · 32h 15m by car · TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → OK → KS → CO → WY → UT → ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Little Rock, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Wichita, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Memphis at 92.179 vs Meridian at 98.391.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $526,994 to $144,710 moving to Memphis.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Meridian | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 54.9" |
Expect 10.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Memphis averages 2.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.3% — $98,686 → $51,211 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Memphis average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $526,994 in Meridian — a 72.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Memphis more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 6.3% lower than Meridian (92.179 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $98,686 in Meridian — a 48.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Meridian and Memphis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Memphis vs 53.2°F in Meridian (10.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.7 in vs 17.6 in. Annual precipitation: 54.9 in vs 11.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1914 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Memphis, TN from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 1914 mi and the route typically takes 32h 15m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 8 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 · Memphis, TN.