Moving from Birmingham, AL to Peoria, IL
A move from Birmingham, AL to Peoria, IL covers 623 mi and around 11h 45m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
623 mi · 11h 45m by car · AL → TN → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 24, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Huntsville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Peoria and Birmingham is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Peoria is 0.5% below Birmingham ($128,838 vs $135,870 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 37.6" |
Peoria is 11.2°F cooler on the annual average (63.9°F vs 52.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.29 |
Median household income in Peoria is 0.5% above Birmingham ($44,376 vs $58,716, 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 Alabama 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
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 1.4 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.2°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
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (11.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 56.6 in.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 32.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 0.5% lower than Birmingham (91.231 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 623 mi and the route typically takes 11h 45m via I 65 and I 24. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 623 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 Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 5.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Peoria, IL.