Moving from St. Louis, MO to Peoria, AZ
It is 1492 mi between St. Louis and Peoria β roughly 25h 50m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1492 mi Β· 25h 50m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.7% above St. Louis β 95.088 β 103.316 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 12.2Β°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Peoria β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.66 |
Peoria households earn about 8.7% more than St. Louis at the median β $55,279 β $93,403 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 | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, AZ from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 1492 mi and the route typically takes 25h 50m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 8.7% higher than St. Louis (103.316 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1492 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 69.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Peoria, AZ.