Moving from Chattanooga, TN to Peoria, IL
The drive from Chattanooga, TN to Peoria, IL runs 569 mi — about 10h 53m 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.
569 mi · 10h 53m by car · TN → GA → KY → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN → GA → KY → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 57, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chattanooga | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.464 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.209 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.994 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.55 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Chattanooga (91.464) and Peoria (91.231) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Peoria: 0.3% below Chattanooga on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Chattanooga -0.8%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Chattanooga | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.0" | 37.6" |
Climate cools by 9.2°F on the annual average — 61.9°F → 52.7°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chattanooga | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 182,832 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $61,028 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.29 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Tennessee 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 3.6 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
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Chattanooga?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $319,579 in Chattanooga — a 59.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Chattanooga?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 0.3% lower than Chattanooga (91.231 vs 91.464, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Chattanooga, TN?
The driving distance is 569 mi and the route typically takes 10h 53m via I 24 and I 57. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Chattanooga vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $61,028 in Chattanooga — a 3.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Chattanooga 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 569 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Chattanooga and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 61.9°F in Chattanooga (9.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 55.0 in.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Chattanooga?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 261,750 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chattanooga.
City profiles: Chattanooga, TN · Peoria, IL.