Moving from Peoria, IL to Kansas City, MO
Moving from Peoria, IL to Kansas City, MO covers 385 mi and about 7h 18m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
385 mi · 7h 18m by car · MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 72 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Kansas City and Peoria is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Kansas City is 1.4% above Peoria — $128,838 vs $250,208 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 38.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Peoria (52.7°F) and Kansas City (56.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.32 |
Median household income in Kansas City is 1.4% above Peoria ($58,716 → $67,449, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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 Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 52.7°F in Peoria (4.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 37.6 in.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 1.4% higher than Peoria (92.543 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 385 mi and the route typically takes 7h 18m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 14.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 94.2% 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 · Kansas City, MO.