Moving from Joliet, IL to Peoria, IL
Relocating between Joliet, IL and Peoria, IL is a 124 mi drive — 2h 29m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
124 mi · 2h 29m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 29, I 180 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.9% cheaper overall in Peoria than Joliet on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 37.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.9% — $88,026 → $58,716 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
Is Peoria more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 11.9% lower than Joliet (91.231 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 124 mi and the route typically takes 2h 29m via I 80 and IL 29. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 50.4°F in Joliet (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet 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 124 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet 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 Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 50.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 33.3% lower 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Peoria, IL.