Moving from Rochester, NY to Peoria, IL
Relocating 738 mi from Rochester to Peoria is a 14h 12m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
738 mi · 14h 12m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.0% moving from Rochester to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $235,784 in Rochester to $128,838 in Peoria, a 6.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 49.5°F vs 52.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.0% — $46,628 → $58,716 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 | 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 49.5°F in Rochester (3.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 35.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 45.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 738 mi and the route typically takes 14h 12m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 25.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 738 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 6.0% lower than Rochester (91.231 vs 97.035, 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Peoria, IL.