Moving from Columbus, GA to Peoria, AZ
A 1847 mi cross-country move between Columbus and Peoria is 32h 31m 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.
1847 mi Β· 32h 31m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 22, US 280 |
| Major cities en route | Birmingham, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.296 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.666 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.332 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 61.185 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.7% above Columbus β 89.296 β 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.7% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Columbus +1.2%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 6.5Β°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Peoria β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBUS #2, GA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $56,622 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.66 |
Peoria households earn about 15.7% more than Columbus at the median β $56,622 β $93,403 on ACS 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 | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, AZ from Columbus, GA?
The driving distance is 1847 mi and the route typically takes 32h 31m via I 40 and I 22. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1847 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 Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $173,152 in Columbus β a 182.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 15.7% higher than Columbus (103.316 vs 89.296, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $38,490 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 113,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $56,622 in Columbus β a 65.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, GA Β· Peoria, AZ.