Moving from Memphis, TN to Peoria, IL
Moving from Memphis, TN to Peoria, IL covers 462 mi and about 8h 31m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
462 mi · 8h 31m by car · TN → AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 78, I 155 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Memphis | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.179 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.097 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.221 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.807 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Peoria and Memphis is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 1.0% below Memphis ($128,838 vs $144,710 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Memphis -3.1%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Memphis | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.7" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.9" | 37.6" |
Peoria is 10.7°F cooler on the annual average (63.4°F vs 52.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Memphis | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $51,211 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 1.0% above Memphis ($51,211 → $58,716, 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 Tennessee 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.
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 2.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.7°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 household income compare in Memphis vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $51,211 in Memphis — a 14.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Memphis 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 462 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Memphis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $144,710 in Memphis — a 11.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Memphis, TN?
The driving distance is 462 mi and the route typically takes 8h 31m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Memphis and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 63.4°F in Memphis (10.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 2.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 54.9 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Memphis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 1.0% lower than Memphis (91.231 vs 92.179, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Memphis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $43,400 in the Memphis MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 625,340 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Memphis.
City profiles: Memphis, TN · Peoria, IL.