Moving from Syracuse, NY to Peoria, IL
Relocating 814 mi from Syracuse to Peoria is a 15h 38m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
814 mi · 15h 38m by car · NY → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Syracuse | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.742 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.405 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 80.656 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 95.742 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 4.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $210,251 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Syracuse +5.1%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Syracuse | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 127.8" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Syracuse (48.5°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: SYRACUSE HANCOCK INTL AP, NY US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Syracuse | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $45,845 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to rise 4.7% — $45,845 → $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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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 — 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 much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Syracuse?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $210,251 in Syracuse — a 38.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Syracuse?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 4.7% lower than Syracuse (91.231 vs 95.742, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Syracuse, NY?
The driving distance is 814 mi and the route typically takes 15h 38m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Syracuse?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $49,350 in the Syracuse MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 294,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Syracuse 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 814 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Syracuse vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $45,845 in Syracuse — a 28.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Syracuse and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 48.5°F in Syracuse (4.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 127.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 39.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Syracuse.
City profiles: Syracuse, NY · Peoria, IL.