Moving from Richmond, VA to Peoria, AZ
Moving from Richmond, VA to Peoria, AZ is a 2285 mi cross-country relocation — about 40h 3m 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.
2285 mi · 40h 3m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Peoria is 5.6% higher than Richmond, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 5.6% above Richmond — $369,646 vs $488,596 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 9.6" |
Peoria runs 11.3°F warmer on the annual average (58.9°F vs 70.2°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Peoria gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.66 |
Median household income in Peoria is 5.6% above Richmond ($62,671 vs $93,403, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, AZ from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 2285 mi and the route typically takes 40h 3m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 49.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 5.6% higher than Richmond (103.316 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2285 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 58.9°F in Richmond (11.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 45.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 32.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Peoria, AZ.