Moving from Sacramento, CA to Peoria, IL
Moving from Sacramento, CA to Peoria, IL is a 1974 mi cross-country relocation — about 33h 41m 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.
1974 mi · 33h 41m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 110, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Elk Grove, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Peoria are 14.5% below Sacramento — 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 14.5% under Sacramento at $479,766 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 37.6" |
Peoria is 10.7°F cooler on the annual average (63.4°F vs 52.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 14.5% below Sacramento ($83,753 vs $58,716, 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 | 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 California 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
- 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-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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 73.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 14.5% lower than Sacramento (91.231 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 1974 mi and the route typically takes 33h 41m via I 80 and IL 110. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 29.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (10.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 19.2 in.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 1974 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Peoria, IL.