Moving from Evansville, IN to Peoria, IL
Relocating between Evansville, IN and Peoria, IL is a 295 mi drive β 5h 51m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
295 mi Β· 5h 51m by car Β· IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 64, US 51, IL 29 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Evansville | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.528 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.717 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.318 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.735 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Evansville +3.7%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Evansville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 18Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.8" | 37.6" |
Expect 6.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 26.2 in of snowfall annually at Peoria.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Evansville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $52,251 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.29 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.3% higher in Peoria than Evansville.
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 Indiana 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.
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 Evansville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $41,930 in the Evansville MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 152,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Evansville vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $52,251 in Evansville β a 12.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Evansville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $198,977 in Evansville β a 35.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Evansville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 0.3% lower than Evansville (91.231 vs 91.528, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Evansville, IN?
The driving distance is 295 mi and the route typically takes 5h 51m via I 64 and US 51. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Evansville to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 295 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Evansville.
City profiles: Evansville, IN Β· Peoria, IL.