Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Peoria, IL
Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Peoria, IL is a 1948 mi cross-country relocation β about 34h 7m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1948 mi Β· 34h 7m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 19.7% cheaper than Costa Mesa 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 19.7% below Costa Mesa β $1,413,322 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 37.6" |
Peoria is 12.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 52.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 19.7% below Costa Mesa ($110,073 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.
Moving between California and Illinois
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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 46.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 19.7% lower than Costa Mesa (91.231 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1948 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 Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 90.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 1948 mi and the route typically takes 34h 7m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Peoria, IL.