Moving from Peoria, IL to Portland, OR
Moving from Peoria, IL to Portland, OR is a 2049 mi cross-country relocation — about 35h 13m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2049 mi · 35h 13m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Portland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 15.6% pricier overall in Portland than Peoria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Portland typical home at $534,638 is 15.6% above Peoria at $128,838 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Portland -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 37°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 80°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 44.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 52.7°F vs 54.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 642,715 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $88,792 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 32.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Portland is 15.6% above Peoria ($58,716 vs $88,792, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Portland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades — register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Portland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,792 in Portland vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 51.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Portland compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Portland MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Portland more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Portland is 15.6% higher than Peoria (105.421 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Portland compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,638 in Portland vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 315.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Portland, OR from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 2049 mi and the route typically takes 35h 13m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Portland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2049 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Portland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Portland vs 52.7°F in Peoria (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 3.6 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 44.1 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 · Portland, OR.