Moving from Meridian, ID to Pittsburgh, PA
A 2149 mi cross-country move between Meridian and Pittsburgh is 37h 13m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 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.
2149 mi Β· 37h 13m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID
Distance & route
| Route through | 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 | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Meridian | Pittsburgh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 94.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 107.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 100.684 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 71.986 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 98.391 vs 94.671 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $526,994 to $237,533 moving to Pittsburgh.
YoY change: Meridian 0.0%, Pittsburgh -0.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Meridian | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 41.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Meridian (53.2Β°F) and Pittsburgh (52.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Meridian | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 303,620 |
| Median household income | $98,686 | $64,137 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.3% | 24.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.21 |
Pittsburgh households earn about 3.8% less than Meridian at the median β $98,686 β $64,137 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pittsburgh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 137,860 | $43,230 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 96,800 | $28,940 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 90,050 | $39,900 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 89,070 | $35,000 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 79,490 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Idaho and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
When is the best time to move from Meridian to Pittsburgh?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2149 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Pittsburgh, PA from Meridian, ID?
The driving distance is 2149 mi and the route typically takes 37h 13m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Meridian vs Pittsburgh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,137 in Pittsburgh vs $98,686 in Meridian β a 35.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pittsburgh more expensive than Meridian?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pittsburgh is 3.8% lower than Meridian (94.671 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Pittsburgh compared to Meridian?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $237,533 in Pittsburgh vs $526,994 in Meridian β a 54.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Pittsburgh compare to Meridian?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA vs $45,320 in the Meridian MSA, on total employment of 1,071,900 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· Pittsburgh, PA.