Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Peoria, IL
Relocating 922 mi from Elizabeth to Peoria is a 17h 23m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
922 mi · 17h 23m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.0% moving from Elizabeth to Peoria — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,667 in Elizabeth to $128,838 in Peoria, a 19.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 37.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.5°F vs 52.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Peoria sees 26.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 19.0% lower in Peoria than Elizabeth.
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 New Jersey 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
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 — 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 much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 75.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 19.0% lower than Elizabeth (91.231 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 922 mi and the route typically takes 17h 23m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 8.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth 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 922 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Peoria, IL.