Moving from Meridian, ID to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Meridian, ID β Paterson, NJ cover 2465 mi and about 43h 4m of driving through 10 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.
2465 mi Β· 43h 4m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.4% pricier overall in Paterson than Meridian on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.2Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.4% between Meridian and Paterson (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Paterson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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 20β30% 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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 much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 0.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Paterson more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 14.4% higher than Meridian (112.563 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 Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2465 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 2465 mi and the route typically takes 43h 4m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 45.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Meridian.
City profiles: Meridian, ID Β· Paterson, NJ.