Moving from Tampa, FL to Peoria, IL
A move from Tampa, FL to Peoria, IL covers 1136 mi and around 21h 9m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1136 mi · 21h 9m by car · FL → GA → TN → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → GA → TN → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Peoria are 9.6% below Tampa — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $128,838 is 9.6% under Tampa at $374,888 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 37.6" |
NOAA normals show Peoria running 21.8°F below Tampa on the annual mean.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 9.6% below Tampa ($71,302 → $58,716, 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 Florida 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements 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 (21.8°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
How far is Peoria, IL from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 1136 mi and the route typically takes 21h 9m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Tampa 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 1136 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 65.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 74.5°F in Tampa (21.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 49.5 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 9.6% lower than Tampa (91.231 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Peoria, IL.