Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Peoria, IL
It is 1273 mi between West Palm Beach and Peoria β roughly 23h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1273 mi Β· 23h 41m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Port St Lucie, Palm Bay, Orlando, Gainesville, South Fulton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 114.155 in West Palm Beach to 91.231 in Peoria, a 20.1% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $399,471 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 37.6" |
Expect 23.1Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Peoria averages 26.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.29 |
Households in Peoria earn about 20.1% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Winter gear first: Peoria averages 26.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (23.1Β°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
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1273 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 67.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 1273 mi and the route typically takes 23h 41m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 20.1% lower than West Palm Beach (91.231 vs 114.155, 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Peoria, IL.