Moving from Abilene, TX to Peoria, IL
Relocating 960 mi from Abilene to Peoria is a 17h 24m 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.
960 mi · 17h 24m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 277, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Abilene | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.364 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.162 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.791 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Abilene +5.2%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Abilene | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.7" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 25.2" | 37.6" |
Expect 13.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ABILENE RGNL AP, TX US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Abilene | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $62,720 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.0% lower in Peoria than Abilene.
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 3.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.2°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 does household income compare in Abilene vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $62,720 in Abilene — a 6.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Abilene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $38,680 in the Abilene MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 72,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Abilene 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 960 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Peoria more expensive than Abilene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 1.0% higher than Abilene (91.231 vs 90.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Abilene and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 65.9°F in Abilene (13.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 3.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 25.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Abilene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $210,016 in Abilene — a 38.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Abilene, TX?
The driving distance is 960 mi and the route typically takes 17h 24m via I 44 and US 277. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Abilene.
City profiles: Abilene, TX · Peoria, IL.