Moving from Peoria, IL to Centennial, CO
The drive from Peoria, IL to Centennial, CO runs 946 mi β about 16h 40m 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.
946 mi Β· 16h 40m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.9% pricier overall in Centennial than Peoria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Centennial typical home at $649,086 is 15.9% above Peoria at $128,838 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Peoria | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 15.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.7Β°F vs 50.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.59 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 15.9% between Peoria and Centennial (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Centennial more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 15.9% higher than Peoria (105.782 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $58,716 in Peoria β a 118.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $128,838 in Peoria β a 403.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 946 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Centennial, CO from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 946 mi and the route typically takes 16h 40m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. 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 Β· Centennial, CO.