Moving from North Charleston, SC to Peoria, IL
A move from North Charleston, SC to Peoria, IL covers 912 mi and around 17h 17m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
912 mi · 17h 17m by car · SC → NC → TN → KY → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | SC → NC → TN → KY → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 26, I 74, US 25E |
| Major cities en route | Charleston, Columbia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Charleston | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.962 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.212 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.339 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 119.77 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria is 9.6% cheaper than North Charleston overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 9.6% below North Charleston — $309,522 vs $128,838 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: North Charleston -2.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | North Charleston | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.3" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 52.5" | 37.6" |
Peoria is 13.8°F cooler on the annual average (66.5°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: CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Charleston | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $62,789 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 9.6% below North Charleston ($62,789 → $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 South Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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 0.3 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.8°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 North Charleston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,130 in the North Charleston MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 374,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in North Charleston vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $62,789 in North Charleston — a 6.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to North Charleston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $309,522 in North Charleston — a 58.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from North Charleston 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 912 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Peoria more expensive than North Charleston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 9.6% lower than North Charleston (91.231 vs 100.962, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from North Charleston, SC?
The driving distance is 912 mi and the route typically takes 17h 17m via I 26 and I 74. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between North Charleston and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 66.5°F in North Charleston (13.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.3 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 52.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from North Charleston.
City profiles: North Charleston, SC · Peoria, IL.