Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Peoria, AZ
Relocating between Bakersfield, CA and Peoria, AZ is a 487 mi drive β 8h 55m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
487 mi Β· 8h 55m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 210 |
| Major cities en route | Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 100.886 vs 103.316 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 2.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $396,047 to $488,596 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 9.6" |
Expect 5.1Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Peoria gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.4% β $77,397 β $93,403 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 | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 20.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 2.4% higher than Bakersfield (103.316 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 23.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 487 mi and the route typically takes 8h 55m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 487 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Peoria, AZ.