Moving from Peoria, IL to Downey, CA
A 1944 mi cross-country move between Peoria and Downey is 33h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1944 mi Β· 33h 58m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| 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 | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Downey is 24.5% above Peoria β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
24.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Peoria | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 12.2Β°F moving to Downey per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 3.22 |
Downey households earn about 24.5% more than Peoria at the median β $58,716 β $87,400 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $128,838 in Peoria β a 589.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1944 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Downey more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 24.5% higher than Peoria (113.566 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Downey compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $58,716 in Peoria β a 48.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Downey, CA from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 1944 mi and the route typically takes 33h 58m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 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· Downey, CA.