Moving from Surprise, AZ to Peoria, IL
It is 1677 mi and 29h 22m from Surprise to Peoria — a cross-country move across 6 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1677 mi · 29h 22m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Goodyear, Glendale, Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.7% cheaper overall in Peoria than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.7% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.5°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.7% — $93,371 → $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 Arizona 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 (17.5°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
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 70.2°F in Surprise (17.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 9.6 in.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 11.7% lower than Surprise (91.231 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 69.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1677 mi and the route typically takes 29h 22m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Surprise 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 1677 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 Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Peoria, IL.