Moving from Peoria, IL to Ann Arbor, MI
It is a 377 mi drive, roughly 7h 13m, between Peoria, IL and Ann Arbor, MI. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
377 mi · 7h 13m by car · MI → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MI → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Dearborn, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Ann Arbor | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 100.88 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 98.184 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.711 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 125.3 | 100.0 |
Ann Arbor runs about 10.6% more expensive overall than Peoria — RPP 91.231 → 100.88.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $128,838 in Peoria to $523,391 in Ann Arbor, a 10.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Ann Arbor +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 59.3" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 37.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.7°F vs 48.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Ann Arbor sees 59.3 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, ANN ARBOR SE, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Ann Arbor |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 121,179 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $81,089 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 27.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 30.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.43 |
Ann Arbor households earn about 10.6% more than Peoria at the median — $58,716 → $81,089 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ann Arbor MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 29,010 | $50,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 25,400 | $81,710 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 24,670 | $42,280 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,280 | $32,120 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,520 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
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 — Ann Arbor averages 59.3 in annually vs 26.2 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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Ann Arbor?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 377 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Ann Arbor compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $523,391 in Ann Arbor vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 306.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Ann Arbor?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,089 in Ann Arbor vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 38.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Ann Arbor compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,690 in the Ann Arbor MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 215,300 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Ann Arbor more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ann Arbor is 10.6% higher than Peoria (100.88 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Ann Arbor?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.2°F in Ann Arbor vs 52.7°F in Peoria (4.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 59.3 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.9 in vs 37.6 in.
How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 377 mi and the route typically takes 7h 13m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Ann Arbor, MI.