Moving from Centennial, CO to Peoria, IL
The drive from Centennial, CO to Peoria, IL runs 946 mi β about 16h 40m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
946 mi Β· 16h 40m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Greeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Centennial | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Peoria are 13.8% below Centennial β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Peoria typical home at $128,838 is 13.8% under Centennial at $649,086 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 52.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.29 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 13.8% between Centennial and Peoria (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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 946 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Centennial vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 54.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 13.8% lower than Centennial (91.231 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 80.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, IL from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 946 mi and the route typically takes 16h 40m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Peoria, IL.