Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Peoria, IL
A 1957 mi cross-country move between Los Angeles and Peoria is 34h 16m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1957 mi · 34h 16m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.7% moving from Los Angeles to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $952,183 in Los Angeles to $128,838 in Peoria, a 19.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 11.1°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 19.7% less than Los Angeles at the median — $80,366 → $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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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
- 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 (11.1°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
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles 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 1957 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (11.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 14.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 86.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 26.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Peoria, IL from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 1957 mi and the route typically takes 34h 16m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 19.7% lower than Los Angeles (91.231 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Peoria, IL.