Moving from Peoria, IL to Springfield, IL
Relocating between Peoria, IL and Springfield, IL is a 78 mi drive — 1h 37m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
78 mi · 1h 37m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 155, I 55, I 74 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.24 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.7% higher in Springfield than Peoria.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 26.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Peoria to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 78 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 Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 11.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, IL from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 78 mi and the route typically takes 1h 37m via I 155 and I 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 1.7% higher than Peoria (92.745 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Springfield, IL.