Moving from Richmond, VA to Peoria, IL
The drive from Richmond, VA to Peoria, IL runs 832 mi — about 15h 54m 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.
832 mi · 15h 54m by car · VA → WV → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 74, US 35 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton |
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 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Peoria are 6.8% below Richmond — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $128,838 is 6.8% under Richmond at $369,646 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 37.6" |
Climate cools by 6.2°F on the annual average — 58.9°F → 52.7°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.29 |
Income steps down 6.8%: $62,671 in Richmond vs $58,716 in Peoria.
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 | 17,760 | $41,540 |
| Production Occupations | 15,910 | $46,610 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,790 | $29,380 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,580 | $38,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 13,350 | $71,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Virginia and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Peoria more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 6.8% lower than Richmond (91.231 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 832 mi and the route typically takes 15h 54m via I 64 and I 74. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 6.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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 832 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 52.7°F in Peoria vs 58.9°F in Richmond (6.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 45.5 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Peoria, IL.