Moving from Lakewood, CO to Peoria, IL
It is 940 mi between Lakewood and Peoria — roughly 16h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
940 mi · 16h 33m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, IL 110 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.8% cheaper overall in Peoria than Lakewood on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.8% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lakewood | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 21°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 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: LAKEWOOD, CO US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 13.8% less than Lakewood at the median — $85,789 → $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.
Moving between Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 — 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.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lakewood 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 940 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $85,789 in Lakewood — a 31.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 13.8% lower than Lakewood (91.231 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $573,913 in Lakewood — a 77.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 940 mi and the route typically takes 16h 33m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Lakewood and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 50.4°F in Lakewood (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 58.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 17.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO · Peoria, IL.