Moving from Peoria, IL to Elgin, IL
It is a 157 mi drive, roughly 3h 17m, between Peoria, IL and Elgin, IL. 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.
157 mi · 3h 17m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 39, US 51, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 13.6% 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 13.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $128,838 to $329,682 moving to Elgin.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 39.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Peoria (52.7°F) and Elgin (49.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Elgin averages 32.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.94 |
Elgin households earn about 13.6% more than Peoria at the median — $58,716 → $88,316 on ACS 2023.
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.
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
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
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 157 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elgin, IL from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 157 mi and the route typically takes 3h 17m via I 39 and US 51. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 52.7°F in Peoria (3.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 37.6 in.
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 $58,716 in Peoria — a 50.4% higher 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 13.6% higher than Peoria (103.595 vs 91.231, 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 $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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 $128,838 in Peoria — a 155.9% higher 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, IL · Elgin, IL.