Moving from Gainesville, FL to Peoria, IL
A move from Gainesville, FL to Peoria, IL covers 1009 mi and around 18h 55m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1009 mi · 18h 55m by car · FL → GA → TN → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → TN → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Gainesville | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.733 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.155 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 92.982 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 5.7% cheaper than Gainesville 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 5.7% below Gainesville — $297,055 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Gainesville -2.6%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Gainesville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 37.6" |
Peoria runs 16.6°F colder on the annual average (69.3°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: GAINESVILLE RGNL AP, FL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gainesville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $45,611 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 26.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.7% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 5.7% above Gainesville ($45,611 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 Florida 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.6°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
When is the best time to move from Gainesville 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 1009 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Peoria, IL from Gainesville, FL?
The driving distance is 1009 mi and the route typically takes 18h 55m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Gainesville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $45,490 in the Gainesville MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 141,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Gainesville vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $45,611 in Gainesville — a 28.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Gainesville and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 69.3°F in Gainesville (16.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 48.3 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Gainesville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 5.7% lower than Gainesville (91.231 vs 96.733, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Gainesville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $297,055 in Gainesville — a 56.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gainesville.
City profiles: Gainesville, FL · Peoria, IL.