Moving from Houston, TX to Peoria, IL
It is 953 mi between Houston and Peoria — roughly 17h 44m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
953 mi · 17h 44m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 67, US 59, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 91.231 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 90.504 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 63.763 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.5% moving from Houston 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 $264,336 in Houston to $128,838 in Peoria, a 7.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Peoria +7.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 26.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 37.6" |
Annual average temperature drops 17.9°F — 70.6°F in Houston vs 52.7°F in Peoria, 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: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 112,126 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $58,716 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.29 |
Households in Peoria earn about 7.5% less at the median — 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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Peoria averages 26.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.9°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
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,610 in the Peoria MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 165,240 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $128,838 in Peoria vs $264,336 in Houston — a 51.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.7°F in Peoria vs 70.6°F in Houston (17.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 26.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.6 in vs 54.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 953 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,716 in Peoria vs $62,894 in Houston — a 6.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Peoria more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 7.5% lower than Houston (91.231 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Peoria, IL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 953 mi and the route typically takes 17h 44m via US 67 and US 59. 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Peoria, IL.