Moving from Peoria, IL to Austin, TX
It is 997 mi between Peoria and Austin — roughly 18h 25m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
997 mi · 18h 25m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.5% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $128,838 to $508,530 moving to Austin.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 36.3" |
Expect 17.3°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.2 |
Austin households earn about 7.5% more than Peoria at the median — $58,716 → $91,461 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Austin more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 7.5% higher than Peoria (98.066 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 55.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 294.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 52.7°F in Peoria (17.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 37.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 997 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Austin, TX from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 997 mi and the route typically takes 18h 25m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 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 · Austin, TX.