Moving from Waco, TX to Peoria, IL
Relocating 901 mi from Waco to Peoria is a 16h 49m drive through 4 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.
901 mi · 16h 49m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Grand Prairie, Arlington, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.55 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 1.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 37.6" |
Expect 13.9°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 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: WACO DAM, TX US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.4% higher in Peoria than Waco.
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 Texas 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.
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 (13.9°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 Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 901 mi and the route typically takes 16h 49m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $51,468 in Waco — a 14.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 901 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 66.6°F in Waco (13.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 37.5 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $194,245 in Waco — a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 1.4% lower than Waco (91.231 vs 92.55, 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Peoria, IL.