Moving from Santa Maria, CA to Peoria, IL
A 2073 mi cross-country move between Santa Maria and Peoria is 36h 46m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2073 mi Β· 36h 46m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Maria | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.798 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 149.807 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.394 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 16.1% cheaper overall in Peoria than Santa Maria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Maria +1.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Maria | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.3" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 5.9Β°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA MARIA PUBLIC AP, CA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Maria | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,880 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $84,617 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 29.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.78 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 16.1% less than Santa Maria at the median β $84,617 β $58,716 on ACS 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 β 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
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Santa Maria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,280 in the Santa Maria MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 202,410 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Santa Maria, CA?
The driving distance is 2073 mi and the route typically takes 36h 46m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Maria vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $84,617 in Santa Maria β a 30.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Santa Maria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 16.1% lower than Santa Maria (91.231 vs 108.798, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Maria to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2073 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Santa Maria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $658,011 in Santa Maria β a 80.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Maria.
City profiles: Santa Maria, CA Β· Peoria, IL.