Moving from Dallas, TX to Peoria, IL
The drive from Dallas, TX to Peoria, IL runs 804 mi — about 15h 2m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
804 mi · 15h 2m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 11.5% cheaper than Dallas overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 11.5% below Dallas — $309,421 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 37.6" |
Peoria runs 15.3°F colder on the annual average (68.0°F vs 52.7°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Peoria averages 26.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.29 |
Income steps down 11.5%: $67,760 in Dallas vs $58,716 in Peoria.
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 Texas 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 1.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.3°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
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 68.0°F in Dallas (15.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 38.3 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 11.5% lower than Dallas (91.231 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 13.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Peoria, IL from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 804 mi and the route typically takes 15h 2m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 804 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Peoria, IL.