Moving from Norfolk, VA to Peoria, IL
It is 919 mi between Norfolk and Peoria — roughly 17h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
919 mi · 17h 32m by car · VA → WV → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 74, US 35 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norfolk | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Peoria at 91.231 vs Norfolk at 97.941.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $306,227 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Norfolk +0.7%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norfolk | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.7" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 8.7°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
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: NORFOLK NAS, VA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norfolk | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $64,017 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.49 | 2.29 |
Households in Peoria earn about 6.9% less at the median — 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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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 3.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 far is Peoria, IL from Norfolk, VA?
The driving distance is 919 mi and the route typically takes 17h 32m via I 64 and I 74. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Norfolk and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 61.4°F in Norfolk (8.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 3.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 45.7 in.
When is the best time to move from Norfolk 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 919 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 Norfolk?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Norfolk?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $306,227 in Norfolk — a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Norfolk?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 6.9% lower than Norfolk (91.231 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Norfolk vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $64,017 in Norfolk — a 8.3% 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 Norfolk.
City profiles: Norfolk, VA · Peoria, IL.