Moving from Peoria, AZ to Elgin, IL
It is 1740 mi and 31h 25m from Peoria to Elgin — a cross-country move across 8 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.
1740 mi · 31h 25m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS → MO → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS → MO → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Peoria -1.6%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperature gap of 21.2°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 194,338 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $93,403 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 42.1 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.94 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.3% lower in Elgin than Peoria.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 — Elgin averages 32.1 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (21.2°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 Peoria vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $93,403 in Peoria — a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elgin more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 0.3% higher than Peoria (103.595 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,600 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 70.2°F in Peoria (21.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 9.6 in.
How far is Elgin, IL from Peoria, AZ?
The driving distance is 1740 mi and the route typically takes 31h 25m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1740 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $488,596 in Peoria — a 32.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, AZ · Elgin, IL.