Moving from Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL
The drive from Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL runs 1132 mi — about 21h 12m 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.
1132 mi · 21h 12m by car · FL → GA → TN → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → TN → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.2% pricier overall in Orlando than Peoria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Orlando typical home at $374,136 is 11.2% above Peoria at $128,838 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 50°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 51.5" |
NOAA normals show Orlando running 20.3°F above Peoria on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orlando sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.46 |
Income steps up 11.2%: $58,716 in Peoria vs $69,268 in Orlando.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Orlando average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 190.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Orlando, FL from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 1132 mi and the route typically takes 21h 12m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Orlando more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 11.2% higher than Peoria (101.418 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 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 Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1132 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 18.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Orlando?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.0°F in Orlando vs 52.7°F in Peoria (20.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 51.5 in vs 37.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Orlando, FL.