Moving from Odessa, TX to Peoria, IL
The drive from Odessa, TX to Peoria, IL runs 1115 mi — about 20h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1115 mi · 20h 8m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 277, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Midland, Abilene, Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Peoria and Odessa are close on the overall BEA RPP (93.896 vs 91.231); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $128,838 is 2.8% under Odessa at $251,239 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 37.6" |
Climate cools by 11.7°F on the annual average — 64.4°F → 52.7°F.
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: ODESSA, TX US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 31 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.29 |
Income steps down 2.8%: $73,030 in Odessa vs $58,716 in Peoria.
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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 0.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.7°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 much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 48.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1115 mi and the route typically takes 20h 8m via I 44 and US 277. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 2.8% lower than Odessa (91.231 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 64.4°F in Odessa (11.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 12.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 1115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 19.6% 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Peoria, IL.