Moving from Oakland, CA to Peoria, IL
It is 2059 mi and 35h 23m from Oakland to Peoria — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2059 mi · 35h 23m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 110, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria sits 21.1% cheaper than Oakland on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $716,248 in Oakland to $128,838 in Peoria, a 21.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 37.6" |
Expect 6.9°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 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: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 21.1% — $97,369 → $58,716 per ACS 5-year estimates (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-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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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.
- 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 Oakland 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 2059 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 Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 82.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 39.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 2059 mi and the route typically takes 35h 23m via I 80 and IL 110. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 21.1% lower than Oakland (91.231 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 59.6°F in Oakland (6.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 22.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Peoria, IL.