Moving from Bellevue, WA to Peoria, IL
A 2011 mi cross-country move between Bellevue and Peoria is 35h 9m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2011 mi · 35h 9m by car · WA → ID → MT → SD → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → SD → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Renton, Kent |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Expect about 17.9% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Peoria at 91.231 vs Bellevue at 111.133.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.9% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,516,154 to $128,838 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Bellevue (53.2°F) and Peoria (52.7°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA 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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.29 |
Peoria households earn about 17.9% less than Bellevue at the median — $161,300 → $58,716 on 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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (0.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 37.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 2011 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Peoria, IL from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 2011 mi and the route typically takes 35h 9m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bellevue vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 63.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 17.9% lower than Bellevue (91.231 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 91.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Peoria, IL.