Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Peoria, IL
It is 727 mi between Winston-Salem and Peoria β roughly 14h 3m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
727 mi Β· 14h 3m by car Β· NC β VA β WV β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β WV β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 74, US 35, I 77 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.043 vs 91.231 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $264,333 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 37.6" |
Annual temperature drops 6.8Β°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
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: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.29 |
Median household incomes in Winston-Salem ($57,673) and Peoria ($58,716) are within a few percent (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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- 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.
- 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 Winston-Salem to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 727 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 51.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 1.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 727 mi and the route typically takes 14h 3m via I 74 and US 35. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Peoria more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 0.9% lower than Winston-Salem (91.231 vs 92.043, 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 Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Peoria, IL.