Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Peoria, IL
Relocating 939 mi from Virginia Beach to Peoria is a 17h 60m 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.
939 mi · 17h 60m by car · VA → WV → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → WV → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, I 74, US 35 |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.9% moving from Virginia Beach to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $427,032 in Virginia Beach to $128,838 in Peoria, a 6.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 37.6" |
Expect 7.1°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: OCEANA NAS, VA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.9% — $90,685 → $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 Virginia 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see 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 3.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach 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 939 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 Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach — a 69.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 939 mi and the route typically takes 17h 60m via I 64 and I 74. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach — a 35.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Virginia Beach and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 59.8°F in Virginia Beach (7.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 3.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 46.6 in.
Is Peoria more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 6.9% lower than Virginia Beach (91.231 vs 97.941, 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA · Peoria, IL.