Moving from Meridian, ID to Naperville, IL

A 1676 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Naperville is 28h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β€” rent, taxes, climate, commute β€” usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.

1676 mi Β· 28h 31m by car Β· IL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ WY β†’ UT β†’ ID

COL +5.3% Home values +15.8% Ξ” -4.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1676 mi
Drive time
28h 31m
States
6
Fuel (25 mpg)
67 gal
Route throughIL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ WY β†’ UT β†’ ID
Primary highwaysI 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84
Major cities en routeChicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

MeridianNapervilleU.S. avg
All items (RPP)98.391103.595100.0
Rents70.69583.581100.0
Goods96.179107.258100.0
Services105.58112.01100.0

Overall prices come in 5.3% above Meridian β€” 98.391 β†’ 103.595 on the BEA RPP.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Meridian β€” typical home
$526,994
Naperville β€” typical home
$610,454
Meridian β€” typical rent
$1,991/mo
Naperville β€” typical rent
$2,158/mo

Housing comes in 5.3% above Meridian β€” $526,994 β†’ $610,454 on the latest ZHVI.

YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsMeridianNaperville
Annual avg temperature53Β°F49Β°F
January avg low26Β°F15Β°F
July avg high93Β°F84Β°F
Annual snowfall17.6"β€”
Annual precipitation11.5"40.2"

No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023MeridianNaperville
Population124,865149,424
Median household income$98,686$150,937
Median age37.440.1
Bachelor's degree or higher29.3%38.8%
Avg household size2.752.75

Naperville households earn about 5.3% more than Meridian at the median β€” $98,686 β†’ $150,937 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Meridian MSA β€” median wage
$45,320
Naperville MSA β€” median wage
$49,790
Meridian MSA β€” employment
372,470
Naperville MSA β€” employment
4,506,800

Top occupations in Naperville MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

Idaho income tax
5.7% top marginal
Illinois income tax
4.95% top marginal

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 β€” 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 β€” 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.

Frequently asked

How does the job market in Naperville compare to Meridian?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville 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.

How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Meridian?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $526,994 in Meridian β€” a 15.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Meridian vs Naperville?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $98,686 in Meridian β€” a 52.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How far is Naperville, IL from Meridian, ID?

The driving distance is 1676 mi and the route typically takes 28h 31m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Is Naperville more expensive than Meridian?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 5.3% higher than Meridian (103.595 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

When is the best time to move from Meridian to Naperville?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1676 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” 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 Β· Naperville, IL.

Related routes