Moving from Elgin, IL to Peoria, IL
It is a 157 mi drive, roughly 3h 17m, between Elgin, IL and Peoria, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
157 mi · 3h 17m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 39, US 51, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | 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 |
Expect about 11.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Peoria at 91.231 vs Elgin at 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $329,682 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Elgin (49.0°F) and Peoria (52.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: ELGIN, IL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 11.9% less than Elgin at the median — $88,316 → $58,716 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 | 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 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
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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 does the job market in Peoria compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin 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 much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 60.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elgin 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 157 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Peoria more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 11.9% lower than Elgin (91.231 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 49.0°F in Elgin (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 39.9 in.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 33.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Peoria, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 157 mi and the route typically takes 3h 17m via I 39 and US 51. The trip crosses 1 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Peoria, IL.