Moving from Springfield, IL to Peoria, IL
Relocating between Springfield, IL and Peoria, IL is a 78 mi drive — 1h 37m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
78 mi · 1h 37m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 155, I 55, I 74 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.745 vs 91.231 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $163,198 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (52.9°F) and Peoria (52.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria averages 26.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.6% lower in Peoria than Springfield.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 78 mi and the route typically takes 1h 37m via I 155 and I 55. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Peoria more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 1.6% lower than Springfield (91.231 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield 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 78 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $65,537 in Springfield — a 10.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $163,198 in Springfield — a 21.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL · Peoria, IL.