Moving from Chicago, IL to Peoria, IL
Moving from Chicago, IL to Peoria, IL covers 159 mi and about 3h 14m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
159 mi Β· 3h 14m by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 55, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 11.9% cheaper than Chicago overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 11.9% below Chicago β $317,283 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Chicago (50.8Β°F) and Peoria (52.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria averages 26.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 11.9% below Chicago ($75,134 vs $58,716, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 159 mi and the route typically takes 3h 14m via I 80 and I 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 159 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 59.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 21.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 11.9% lower than Chicago (91.231 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Peoria, IL.