Moving from Peoria, IL to Santa Clarita, CA
It is 1938 mi and 34h 8m from Peoria to Santa Clarita — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1938 mi · 34h 8m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Santa Clarita is 24.5% more expensive than Peoria on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $128,838 in Peoria to $802,016 in Santa Clarita, a 24.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 16.8" |
Expect 12.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Clarita sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 3.04 |
Expect median household income to rise 24.5% — $58,716 → $119,926 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.8°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 — 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
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 24.5% higher than Peoria (113.566 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1938 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 522.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 1938 mi and the route typically takes 34h 8m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 104.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 52.7°F in Peoria (12.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 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 · Santa Clarita, CA.